Former The Stig Ben Collins says Top Gear 'doesn't need Jeremy Clarkson'

HE WAS the man behind the mask for eight years and former The Stig Ben Collins has spoken out about Jeremy Clarkson's place in Top Gear.

Former The Stig Ben Collins has said Top Gear 'doesn't need Jeremy'WENN/BBC

Former The Stig Ben Collins has said Top Gear 'doesn't need Jeremy Clarkson'

Former Indy Lights racer Ben, 40, fell out with suspender broadcaster Jeremy and Top Gear when it launched legal action - which it failed to win - over his decision to reveal his identity and publish his autobiography.

Was Jeremy supportive? No, he wasn't. We haven't spoken since

Speaking to the Radio Times, former The Stig said: "Top Gear has achieved huge status and Jeremy has certainly been part of that because he's got such a big personality... he's an unstoppable force.

"But fans of the programme love it for lots of different reasons. Jeremy is certainly one of them, but not the only one."

The star, who played The Stig until 2011, added: "I was there for eight years but it came to a natural conclusion. I handed in my notice and had discussions with the BBC and they decided to go to court, which was a real shame and not what I wanted. Was Jeremy supportive? No, he wasn't. We haven't spoken since.

"But I get on really well now with the guy that hired me (executive producer and Clarkson's close friend Andy Wilman) and I'm really delighted about that."

Ben Collins was The Stig until 2011 when he left to write a bookWENN

Ben Collins was The Stig until 2011 when he left to write a book

Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended from Top Gear pending an investigation into an incidentBBC

Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended from Top Gear pending an investigation into an incident

In contrast with this opinion, the man known as 'The Original Stig' Perry McCarthy said Top Gear would be 'damaged goods' without presenter Jeremy.

Talking to Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard on Good Morning Britain last week, Perry said there would be a line of people queueing up to take Jeremy’s job if he left the BBC.

The former Top Gear star said: "We all normally say 'nobody is bigger than the programme' except this time, I think Jeremy is bigger than Top Gear, I really do, That’s my personal opinion.

"And if Top Gear were to go on without him, it would be damaged goods. It wouldn’t be as valuable, it wouldn’t be as enjoyable and who’d want to see it without Jeremy? I wouldn't."

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