Stig unmasked as Ben Collins

The Stig from Top Gear.

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• Collins lifts the Stig's visor

BRITAIN'S High Court has refused to ban a book which reveals that Top Gear's The Stig is racing driver Ben Collins.

After more than a day of legal argument in private, Mr Justice Morgan said he would not grant the BBC a temporary injunction blocking publication of Collins' autobiography, which claims he was The Stig for seven years.

The BBC had argued that Collins' book, which will be published on September 16, would breach confidentiality obligations - and a spokesman insisted that despite Wednesday's setback, it would continue to try to block it.

"Today's judgment does not prevent the BBC from pursuing this matter to trial and it will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise."

Top Gear, which airs on the Nine Network in Australia, has a reported worldwide audience of about 350 million people, drawn in by its mix of fast cars, crazy stunts and boyish banter between the three male presenters.

The Stig, with his trademark white race overalls, white helmet and dark visor, tests all the cars on the show but his identity is a closely guarded secret.

Only a handful of executives and Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May were said to know who he was - until now.

Collins, 35, has worked as a James Bond stunt double and made his first foray into the high-octane motor sports world in 1994.

As a driver, he won prizes at various levels - from Formula First and Vauxhall Junior to International Formula 3, World Sportscars, GT Racing and Stock Cars - impressing contemporaries with his podium finishes.

Siobhan Kenny, communications director of HarperCollins which is publishing the book, said the high court decision was "a victory for freedom of speech".

"Ben Collins has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig which will appeal to a wide audience beyond the world of motoring enthusiasts," she said.

Shortly before the ruling on Wednesday, Collins left the courtroom to return home to Bristol where his wife has recently given birth.

Asked by the media if he was The Stig, Collins said he could not talk about it.

Quizzed over whether he had his trademark helmet with him, he replied: "You're trying to tempt me into saying something I shouldn't."

Simon Dowson-Collins, the publisher's director of legal services, said The Stig was in court on Wednesday - but added that it would not confirm the mystery driver's identity until the book launch on September 16.

He added: 'We were very surprised the BBC took such action to prevent freedom of expression. We maintained all along that the information is already in the public domain."

The decision to publish an autobiography followed growing media speculation over The Stig's true identity.

Only last year Collins was "outed" after a builder claimed to have discovered his white suit and gloves on display in a cabinet at his home.

And it was widely reported that The Stig was Collins after his company's financial reports listed Top Gear among its work.

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