BBC loses The Stig injunction bid

01 September 2010

The High Court has refused to grant a temporary injunction preventing the revelation of the identity of Top Gear's The Stig.

The BBC had taken legal action to block publication by HarperCollins of an autobiography which would unmask the faceless mystery driver.

It claimed he is bound by a confidentiality agreement and that revealing who he is would spoil viewers' enjoyment of the popular BBC Two programme.

But, after more than a day of legal submissions in private before Mr Justice Morgan in London, lawyers for HarperCollins emerged to say the case had concluded in their favour.

Solicitor Robin Shaw said: "The judge has said he is not going to grant an injunction in this case.

"Reasons are to follow and will be given in a private judgment."

He added that there was unlikely to be a further public statement or another court hearing today.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said today's judgment did not prevent it from pursuing the matter to a full trial of the issues.

Several racing drivers have been linked to the role, including former Formula One world champions Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher and - most recently - racing driver Ben Collins, 33, who was a stunt double for James Bond.

Mr Collins was in court for part of today's hearing before leaving to return home to Bristol.

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