Monday, 4 October 2010

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Judge explains decision to allow unmasking of Top Gear's The Stig

Mr Justice Morgan says Ben Collins's name was already in the public domain

Ben Collins played The Stig for 7 years

The judge who allowed the unmasking of Top Gear driver The Stig says he did so because his identity was no longer secret.

Ben Collins was revealed as the mysterious character last month after the BBC lost a High Court bid to block the publication of his forthcoming autobiography, in which he outs himself. 

The broadcaster claimed the book would breach confidentiality agreements he'd signed with them.

But the judge, Mr Justice Morgan, says the information was no longer confidential because Ben's name was already in the public domain owing to press speculation.

'If that has caused and/or will cause harm to the BBC, I do not see how any further harm will be caused to the BBC if Mr Collins is not allowed to publish his autobiography,' he ruled today. 

Ben, 35, is now joining rival show Fifth Gear and will appear on screen without a mask.  

He is the second driver to take on the role of The Stig - he slipped into the hot seat vacated by Formula 1's Perry McCarthy, 49, in 2003.