The Stig to join 'Top Gear' rival show

The Stig is joining rival show ‘Fifth Gear’.

The ‘Top Gear’ speed king – real name Ben Collins – was sacked by the BBC show last month after revealing his identity amid plans to release his autobiography, so has now been signed up by the Channel Five show.

Ben – who is not allowed to wear his trademark Stig white suit and white helmet – said of his new role: “I’m delighted to be joining the ‘Fifth Gear’ team. And I’m looking forward to a new set of exciting challenges… apparently with and without the helmet.”

As well as taking part in Stig-like challenges, he will also be co-presenting alongside hosts Tiff Needell and Jason Plato.

Ben appeared on ‘Top Gear’ – which is hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond – for seven years where his identity remained a mystery until the BBC lost a case when they tried to stop his book being released.

Ben has since claimed senior boss Andy Wilman made him feel like he was no greater asset to them than a show prop.

He said: "People seemed to have got used to me doing a stunt or a slide brilliantly. If you do it right they look easy, but they're not. Yet Andy has since said I was the same as a Dalek or the 'Blue Peter' dog."