The Stig has been revealed as Ben Collins, a 33-year-old former racing car driver and stuntman from Bristol.
Collins commissioned a series of posters of the Stig from a Bristol company last year, and in the course of his dealings with the company apparently revealed his double identity.
Two Bristol newspapers reported the story soon afterwards, but most national papers held back because they did not want to spoil the spirit of the show. But then a major newspaper broke the story on Sunday, and the secret was well and truly out of the bag.
The BBC and Top Gear have so far refused to comment, but staff at the show are said to be furious.
Collins began his motorsport career driving in Formula First and Formula Vauxhall Junior before rising to Formula 3. He has also appeared in films like latest Bond flick Quantum of Solace as a stunt driver.
He took over from the previous Stig, Perry McCarthy, after McCarthy disclosed his identity in a 2002 autobiography and was subsequently fired.
Based on past history, it seems that a new Stig will have to be found before the show returns to our screens in December. But no, before you ask, it's unlikely that driving around the M25 at 100mph will land you an audition.
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