Well, Great: The Stig is Ben Collins.

In a disappointment to Top Gear fans everywhere, the potential identity of "The Stig" may have been accidentally revealed over the weekend.

Ex-Formula 3 and former LeMans driver Ben Collins has been cited in the past as a potential "face behind the mask" for the character "The Stig" on BBC's award-winning program Top Gear.  "The Stig" has been an integral part of the popular show since it's debut in 2001.  "The Stig" was meant to provide a level of consistency of driving skill to make more valid performance comparisons between cars.  The true identity of the Stig has always been a closely guarded secret - BBC press release refer to the Stig as "it" rather than a gendered noun.  Now, however, it appears as though Ben Collins has identified himself in public as the current Stig.

The first Stig, whose identity was revealed to be Perry McCarthy, was canned from the show during the third season after admitting his Stigness in his book Flat Out, Flat Broke.  While BBC hasn't confirmed or denied that Ben Collins is the current Stig, it's likely that Collins will be looking for work next season.

The Telegraph reports he outed himself at an art gallery in Bristol (of all places!) when he reportedly asked staff if they would make a print of his character in action.  Previous reports have pegged Collins as the - or one of the - identities behind The Stig.  In 2008, a worker undergoing renovations of Collins' home reported finding a white racing suit and the trademark white Simpson racing helmet in Collins' wardrobe.  Also, a clip of The Stig speaking through his uniform - which he never does on air - was compared to a clip of Collins speaking, showing a remarkably similar voice and Bristol-area accent.

In addition to being The Stig, Collins has also found success elsewhere in the industry - as James Bond's stunt double in Quantum of Solace, Formula 3 and Formula Vauxhall Racing, as well as the European NASCAR circuit (they have one of those?  Why?).  Whether or not Collins can keep his current job remains to be seen.  It would be a shame to have to find a new one - what color is the next one going to be?