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A court case to prevent the identity of Top Gear's The Stig from being revealed is to continue being heard in private.

The judge at the High Court said the case should proceed behind closed doors, as publicity would defeat the purpose of the hearing.

The BBC began legal action last week to block HarperCollins from publishing an autobiography which would unmask the character.

It says the planned book would breach confidentiality obligations.

Arguing for HarperCollins, Hugh Tomlinson QC said the press and public should be allowed to hear the legal arguments.

He added the press could be subject to extensive restrictions to prevent any confidential information being revealed before the conclusion of the case.

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But Mr Justice Morgan said: "It seems to me that having the hearing in private is a much more effective barrier to information which might in due course be the subject of an injunction passing more widely into the public domain."

He said the public interest in "having justice in open court for all to hear" could be dealt with by a public judgment given "in due course".

Last week, HarperCollins said it would "vigorously defend" its right to publish the book, adding it was "disappointed that the BBC has chosen to spend licence fee payers' money to suppress this book".

However Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman attacked the publisher, writing on the Top Gear website that the BBC had a right to protect Stig's anonymity "from a bunch of chancers" who were "hoping to cash in on it".

The BBC has never confirmed the identity of The Stig - who test drives cars on the show. It maintains that unmasking him would spoil viewers' enjoyment.

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I know i copyed and pasted but im spreading the word

I could tell you who he is but my work companions would just abuse me for telling you.

hope they dont show him, will just ruin part of the show

the 'some say...' wont be as funny aswell

Some say he's never won a lawsuit.

No it's not. There has only been 2 and now they are on their third. And to all those who think is Michael Shumacher are idiots. He was the star in the reasonably priced car that week. Notice how they didn't have anyone else? It was just a bit of fun as everyone says that it is Michael. You think he would go from getting paid Millions and millions to getting paid less than a grand? If you guys read the papers once in a while...
I also don't agree with revealing his ID. It's a bit of harmless fun that people want to spoil. It's not hurting anyone hiding it.

as soon as hes revealed they will just get a new stig

Or put the old stig in a new suit.

The truth behind the matter is that the BBC doesn't want to admit that James May is actually the Stig :p.

[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6i3lvXIKlU]YouTube - Top Gear's The Stig Is Finally Unmasked[/ame]

The micheal shumacher thing was a top gear joke as it says in the credits special guest micheal shumacher

Thyere is a real picture in the news paper of the real man but he is yet to be named