autos

Top Gear star reveals ‘cameramen had to run for cover’ after celeb’s test track mishap


A FORMER Top Gear star has revealed how cameramen had to run for cover after one celeb’s test track mishap.

Speaking on the DriveTribe YouTube channel, former Stig Ben Collins recounted one particular incident on the hit show.

Ex-Stig Ben Collins revealed the moment on DriveTribe

3

Ex-Stig Ben Collins revealed the moment on DriveTribeCredit: YouTube
David Walliams caused TV staff to "run for cover" on the Top Gear test track

3

David Walliams caused TV staff to “run for cover” on the Top Gear test trackCredit: Getty

The racing driver and stunt man said that they had to “put a gate in” because of David Walliams.

Collins said: “He came screeching through, a bit wide.

“We actually had to run for cover.

“Apparently at the time I was jogging backwards telling him what to do with the steering but it didn’t really compute.”

Collins added how they had to grab the cameraman as Walliams dangerously “skidded wide”.

The ex-Stig added: “We had to jump onto the fence and then we decided to put a door in.”

Collins said the penultimate corner was the most difficult and caused drivers to skid off onto the grass after coming round at too much speed.

Viewers were quick to take to their comments to share their opinions on the episode.

One wrote: “I could watch this all day and I can’t wait to see the behind the scenes on the second channel.”

Another said: “Great to see the locations, particularly the test track, all I have to say is sod the houses, that track has to stay.”

The Dunsfold Aerodrome was the home of the cult BBC show for well over a decade.

Read More   Automakers' new EV charging network a bid to win federal subsidies, lap Tesla - Detroit News

Racing driver and stunt man Ben Collins decided to come out as the Stig in 2010, and consequently lost the job after seven years doing it.

A legal battle began between the BBC and Collins’ publisher kicked off when he decided to release an autobiography called The Man in the White Suit, which apparently broke the secrecy-based terms of his employment.

He had taken over from driver Perry McCarthy in 2004, who had been the Black Stig in the first two series and quit amid claims he was unhappy with his alleged £700-a-week salary and the secrecy involved.

Before Collins came out as the Stig, it was reported that eight different drivers all shared the role.

Famous names included Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen, Chris Goodwin, Dan Lang and Julian Bailey.

It comes after Top Gear has since been shelved after Freddie Flintoff’s horror crash saw the BBC reach a £9million settlement with him.

Freddie was driving an open-topped three-wheeled car without a helmet when it flipped at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey in December 2022.

He was airlifted to hospital and left with severe facial injuries and broken ribs.

But after recovering, Freddie has taken up a role as head coach of cricket team Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

He also did some work last year as a consultant coach with the England cricket team.

The Top Gear test track was a staple of the hit show

3

The Top Gear test track was a staple of the hit showCredit: Fame Flynet





READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.