Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig

[Sash]

The Stig, a mystery driver who tests high-performance cars on Top Gear, has been "revealed" as Michael Schumacher.

The seven-times Formula 1 champion dressed as the show's famous driver and removed his helmet during an interview with presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

However, an appalling driving performance by Schumacher at the end of the show cast doubt on the "revelation".

Clarkson told viewers: "I don't think Michael Schumacher is the Stig".

The presenter had earlier revealed in his column in the Sun that Stig's identity would be a "staggering surprise" to viewers.

"As a television moment, it's up there with Neil Armstrong walking on the... corpse of JR Ewing," he added.

Earlier, a BBC spokesman said: "As Jeremy said, in tonight's Top Gear Stig will remove his helmet for the first time."

After the show, a BBC spokeswoman would not confirm whether or not Schumacher was the genuine Stig, or a stunt to mark the first episode of a new series of Top Gear.

"You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme. We never reveal who or what The Stig is," she said.

But fans of the show remain unconvinced as to his identity. One fan, James2001, wrote on a Digital Spy forum: "You're very gullible if you believe it really is him."

Another fan, Mijath, said: "People's fascination with the identity of The Stig mystifies me. Tonight's unveiling was always going to be a joke, and a brilliant one it was."

Peter Lawton, consumer editor of What Car? magazine told the BBC he thought it was "a nice publicity stunt".

"I don't think it was for real - it was good fun and nice to see Schumacher playing along," he said.

He also said he knew who the real Stig was, but added: "My lips are sealed."

Perry McCarthy, a former Formula 1 driver, was the original Stig, wearing black overalls for his appearances.

He left the show in 2003 - when a "new" Stig, dressed in white, took over - and later disclosed his identity in an autobiography.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig

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Like my hubby said, who else would they let drive that ferrari around the track when they only "lend" them to the actual owners.

[Detomah]

A great stunt to start the new series with and a great way of introducing Schumi as a guest, but definately not the Stig proper.

[Harv]

I think TGF was the stig for that program as I would be inclined to think that the ferrari that smashed the lap record time by 7 seconds probably belonged to TGF and was shipped over to the track for him to drive. I really dont think they would do that for the BBC stig or not so instead of getting the BBC stig to drive it make the stig TGF for the day

For all the amount I disliked the guy when he drove for the red guys he was still an amazing driver and I can easily beleive he could drive the socks of that car and trim 7 seconds off the fastest time.