The British motoring program Top Gear, broadcast by the BBC, gained its greatest popularity in the days when it was hosted by the famous trio Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. In addition to the three presenters, a mysterious test rider in a white uniform, who was called only Stig, became an integral part of the program.
During the 33 seasons of broadcasting, a total of three riders alternated in the riding overalls. The very first was Perry McCarthy, former Formula 1 and British Le Mans driver, who was the only one to wear a black overall. But he lasted in his role only between 2002 and 2003.
The identity of the last Stig was revealed by Jeremy Clarkson after the screening of the last episode of The Grand Tour at his farm.
He was succeeded by Ben Collins, a racing driver and stuntman who came with a white jumpsuit. He participated in the creation of the program until 2010, when he revealed his identity in a book and, in addition to leaving, he also had to resolve a legal dispute with the BBC. The identity of the third Stig, who joined after the departure of Collins, was not known for a long time.
Jeremy Clarkson finally brought it to the public, during a special screening of the last part of The Grand Tour “One for the Road” on his farm. During the questions that followed the projection, among other things, it was said that the last driver in the Stiga overalls was Phil Keen.
Keen worked in Top Gear between 2010 and 2022, when Top Gear ended after a serious accident of one of the presenters. At the same time, Keen is still the most successful driver in the British GT championship, where he scored 129 starts, 24 victories and once dominated the Supersport class. In addition, he was supposed to act as a stuntman in the past.
