A man who has driven as Top Gear's anonymous racing driver "The Stig" has revealed his identity as Paul Rees and disclosed that he "nearly died" in a car crash involving former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff. The revelation sheds light on one of British television's longest-running mysteries, as The Stig's identity has traditionally been kept secret as part of the show's format, with previous incarnations occasionally being unmasked over the years.

Rees's account links him to Flintoff's much-publicised crash while filming Top Gear in December 2022, in which the presenter suffered serious injuries after his vehicle overturned during a test at Dunsfold Aerodrome. The disclosure adds a new perspective to that incident, with Rees describing the severity of what happened and suggesting he too was in significant danger during the crash.