Man behind Top Gear's The Stig reveals character was meant to be called The Gimp

The man behind Top Gear's The Stig once revealed the character was meant to be called The Gimp.

The iconic figure that has now become emblematic of the hit BBC show that has ruled our screens for 33 seasons almost had a completely different moniker that provided some very BDSM undertones.

But, luckily, the man behind the famous white helmet objected to the proposed name which is when Jeremy Clarkson stepped in.

BBC

Speaking to the London Speaker Bureau back in 2021, Top Gear's original Stig, Perry McCarthy, opened up a little about his stint as the helmet-clad mystery figure.

He stated: "I'm an ex-Formula 1 racing-driver and I was the original Stig on BBC Top Gear.

"What I do now is talk about all my experiences as a racing driver, coming through the attitudes that are necessary and I provide those via, hopefully, an amusing speech, business speech or a motivational speech.

"With my career, believe me, you needed to be motivated."

While Perry was ominously silent during his time on Top Gear, he went on to become a top after-dinner speaker using his experience in the world of all things racing as a pool to draw knowledge and inspiration from.

Unlike his The Stig persona, Perry blended humour and comedy alongside his 'motivational' speeches joking that he is a 'comedian locked inside a racing driver's body'.

The star said that his sense of humour 'played a very big role' in his career, however, it's clear that everyone has their limits.

When names were first being thrown around for what to call The Stig character, Perry revealed that it was very nearly called 'The Gimp'.

YouTube/London Speaker Bureau

If you're somehow not in the know, a 'gimp' defined by Dictionary.com is: "A sexual fetishist who likes to be dominated and who dresses in a leather or rubber body suit with mask, zips, and chains."

Unsurprisingly, Perry objected to the bizarre mode of address.

He told the Sunday Mirror back in 2012 that he met Clarkson at a party in 2002 which was attended by their mutual friend, racing driver Damon Hill.

Perry explained: "He came over and said, 'We’re relaunching Top Gear and it’s going to be huge. We need a racing driver called The Gimp. Do you fancy it?'

"I said, 'Yes, but there’s no way I’m going to be The Gimp. Think of another name and you’ve got a deal'."

According to Perry, all the new boys at Clarkson's public school were landed with the same name which ended up being the inspiration for the now famous title.

"He went to posh Repton school where they call the youngsters 'gimps'. It was his little joke," he said.

Talking about Clarkson, Perry continued: "So he went away and came back a day later with The Stig."

And thank goodness for that.