EXCLUSIVE: The Stig, the iconic masked figure from BBC’s Top Gear, has spoken to Daily Star about what it was like to work with former co-star Jeremy Clarkson
The Stig has opened up on his experience working with Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson. Perry McCarthy, who played the mysterious masked Stig for the show’s first two seasons, spoke to Daily Star on behalf of OLBG and said: “I’m in constant awe of Jeremy’s talent. He can juxtapose a moment to make it poignant and comedic, he’s an incredibly talented writer and broadcaster.
“He almost relishes controversy and there’s bravery to that. Jeremy has a lot of attributes that I admire [although] I don’t agree with everything he says. Jeremy also doesn’t just laugh at his own jokes, he will give you credit!”
The original Stig admitted that Clarkson has a “strong” character but the pair never came to a disagreement. “He’s a strong personality so if you had an idea to put across, you needed to come with the full information and do a bloody good job to convince him. We never butted heads though, never. I had no cause to.”
Perry starred as the original Stig during Top Gear’s first two seasons, although his identity was famously kept a secret – a gag which became a huge part of the show as it gained popularity. He appeared on the motor show in an all-black ensemble with his face covered by a helmet visor, an outfit which was later changed to a white driving suit and head covering.
McCarthy reminisced on his time working on Top Gear and admitted he “knew Richard and Jeremy better” than James May, but “all three were really good fun”.
“I’m still in touch with Richard. James was the biggest surprise to me, I knew him briefly from my motor racing days as he was a car journalist. I remember we announced a big new team in the south of France and James was in attendance, he was super quiet but he seemed so bright.”
“James came in for series two and quickly fit in with Richard and Jeremy, becoming an integral part of the trio. He had an immense wealth of knowledge and all three knew how to write and talk about cars, as well as have fun!”
Perry praised the presenters’ dynamic as a “great combination” which helped “make the show” what it was: “They’re the reason it got shown in over 200 countries worldwide and why: ‘Who is The Stig?’ became a top ten question on Google.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
