Top Gear brings back famous name from past series for BBC reboot

THERE are likely to be quite a few changes to Top Gear when the show reboot arrives – but one classic element will remain. While discussions are ongoing about who will host the BBC show when it comes returns, I can reveal that The Stig will be reprising his very important role as the silent-as-the-grave test driver. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond and The Stig Credit: Alamy The Stig will be reprising his very important role as the silent-as-the-grave test driver Credit: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digit Producers are currently finalising who will don the famous white suit and helmet, though — as, given the driving whizz’s anonymity, they won’t be able to reveal their identity. A show insider said: “Show bosses will obviously want to mark the start of a new era with some tweaks to the show, but they also want the new Top Gear to have some familiarity. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “And The Stig was one of the most important elements that went from the golden age under Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May right through to the most recent series in 2022. So bringing them back was a bit of a no-brainer.” The Stig first made an appearance in the second reboot of Top Gear on BBC Two in 2002 with the white suit being filled by former Formula One driver Perry McCarthy. A year later, racing driver Ben Collins took on the role, and did the job up until 2010. The position was filled by Phil Keen until 2022. Paul Rees recently confirmed to The Sun that he was also The Stig in 2022, and was in the passenger seat at the time of the horror crash that seriously injured one of the show’s then-hosts, Freddie Flintoff. The incident led to the series being shelved and Paul is now taking BBC Studios to court, claiming in excess of £100,000 in damages. Most read in TV The BBC strenuously denies negligence. It is unclear what names are currently in the frame for The Stig job, though television execs are said to be considering a wide variety of options. In the meantime, deliberations continue on who will take on the three hosting roles with comedian Jimmy Carr firmly in the frame but still yet to sign. BBC Studios declined to comment. CHOIR ON SONG AT GONGS Britain’s Got Talent winners, The Hawkstone Farmers Choir Credit: Shutterstock Editorial IT’S been quite the year for Britain’s Got Talent winners, The Hawkstone Farmers Choir. The 32-strong group, founded by Jeremy Clarkson, made history by becoming the first choir to be crowned champions in the ITV show’s 19-year history. And tomorrow, they will open the National Television Awards with a spine-tingling performance of Elbow’s One Day Like This, I can reveal. It’s the song that brought the BGT judges to tears. The choir, made up of working farmers, will also sing at the Royal Variety Performance later this year, before releasing their debut album, This Is Home, on November 6 and heading off on their first 18-date national tour in March 2027. The group was originally started by Jezza for an advert for his Hawkstone brewery. Watch the NTAs on ITV1 at 8pm tomorrow to see the choir in action. LENNY RUSH, star of BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?, has landed a role in the new Harry Potter TV series. He’ll play house elf Dobby in the HBO show, which is out at Christmas. Lenny joins Kit Harrington and Sir Kenneth Branagh in the new TV adaptation of J.K Rowling’s books. LONDON LADIES RETURN Ex-model Martha Sitwell on Ladies Of London Credit: Channel 4 FANS were devastated when they heard the second series of Ladies Of London: The New Reign wasn’t happening. But I can reveal the wheels are now officially in motion for a return, with cameras set to roll this autumn. The Bravo reboot, featuring Strictly star Lady Emma Thynn, Made In Chelsea’s Mark-Francis Vandelli, fashion designer Lottie Kane, shipping heiress Kimi Murdoch and ex-model Martha Sitwell was fun and full of drama. A source told me: “They’ve resolved an issue that came up during series one and now the gang is ready to return for series two. They can’t wait. “We’ll see nearly everyone back, barring one or two. “Expect more glamorous and salacious gossip.” JOEL JIG PROBLEM FOR IAIN Iain Stirling got an early taste of Joel Dommett’s NTA after-party moves as the host treated him to a rather saucy private dance on his show Credit: Comedy Central IAIN STIRLING got an early taste of Joel Dommett’s National Television Awards after-party moves as the host treated him to a rather saucy private dance on his show. The Love Island narrator is back with the second series of his Roast The Internet and invited Joel to help him poke fun at viral clips. But when they ridiculed dance videos, Joel started doing a silly jig to make Iain feel uncomfortable. Iain laughed: “Filming with Joel and him doing stand-up comedy on every single thing I’ve ever posted on the internet destroyed my self-worth.” Teasing what fans can expect from the Comedy Central series, which starts tonight at 9pm, Iain added: “We look at some of the wildest stuff on the net and try and work out how the hell it got there.” I wonder if any antics from tomorrow night’s NTAs will make it on the next series . . . FANS of The Celebrity Traitors can’t wait for the new series – and Richard Osman reckons there’s just over two weeks to go. Speaking to rugby ace and ex-contestant Joe Marler on his The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Osman claimed the BBC One show will return on September 23. BERCOW TO BOX CLEVER John Bercow is one of ten celebrities put to the test in ITV’s new big budget gameshow The Box, hosted by Gary Lineker Credit: PA KEEPING politicians in check in the House Of Commons is a tough gig, but former Speaker John Bercow says it is easy compared to his latest project. He’s one of ten celebrities put to the test in ITV’s new big budget gameshow The Box, hosted by Gary Lineker. The famous faces are shut in boxes before being released in mystery locations to complete challenges – and John admits the surprise element of the show caught him off-guard. He said: “As Speaker, I knew the names of 600 MPs, their party and constituency. “But coming out of The Box and having to do a task against the clock without making a gaffe is far more difficult.” Read TV Reporter Janine’s review of the series on P30/31. Comment now