BEN Collins became one of the most famous people on television without anyone knowing his real name. Only when he decided to speak out was his true identity as The Stig from BBC’s Top Gear motoring programme revealed.

During his time with Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, Collins tutored some of the world’s top celebrities, including the likes of Tom Cruise, before letting them loose as the ‘Star in the Reasonably Priced Car’.

Collins is also a top motor racing driver in his own right, having competed at Le Mans, and has also performed stunts in movies such as the latest James Bond hit, Skyfall. Collins found himself at the centre of a high profile court case when he sought to pen his memories as The Stig, the BBC eventually losing its fight to prevent publication of the book, The Man in the White Suit. You can read more about Ben on his website www.bencollins.com or follow him on Twitter @BenCollinsStig.

The Northern Echo:

What was your first car?

My first car was a Honda CRX. I was sponsored by the local dealership so it was a pretty sporty number for a newbie on the road. It had variable valve timing that meant you could rev the nuts off it, and I absolutely loved that car. It was called ‘Kermit’ because it was bright metallic green..

How many times did it take to pass your test?

My instructor was a gravelly voiced legend from Tiverton called Dave Clark. I had three lessons from him, passed first time and thought I knew it all. I can't remember what we were driving, but it was laced with Marlboro Red, Dave’s favourite.

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?

It would have to be Jesus. Obviously, I'd let him decide where we went, but i would suggest that we drove across the Alps, over the Fluela Pass and beyond.

The Northern Echo: The Stig

What is your dream car?

I'm a little obsessed with the Porsche Carrera GT, even though my favourite to drive is the Ferrari Italia. The Carrera GT is a mid-engined Porsche which makes it a renegade, and she bites your hands off if you disrespect her. The V10 engine is from a Formula One car, the power is insane and it deafens pedestrians so what's not to like.

How would you describe your driving style?

I love to attack a corner when the car is set up for it. Most of the time in racing you have to be super smooth, but on the occasions where you can rush the car a little, like on a street circuit, my heart beats a little quicker because I feel more at home.

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

Something I've never told anybody but ... we were filming Top Gear for the Winter Olympics in Norway and I took this Jaguar out to get some shots on an isolated road. The director was busting my b**** to get turned around quicker so I started doing 180 degree spins using the power. I was so clever that I tried it on sheet ice and slid into a ditch next to a giant rock, then who should pass me by but a pair of British journalists who promised not to print a word.

What is playing on your in car iPod or CD player at the moment?

I'm sitting in a 1960s car called a Syrena 105 that has been pimped with a V8 engine on a race track in Poland called Poznan and am listening to some intense techno by DJ Wajs. It's doing a great job of getting me in the mood to drift sideways for the camera team.

What do you drive now?

I'm currently driving an Audi S5 with the "old" v8 engine. It's like a Tomahawk missile, but mostly I love it because it’s über comfortable on long journeys, of which I have many!