Ben Collins has been sacked as Top Gear’s the Stig after revealing his identity to the public.

In a move that is believed to be spurred on by a book deal from HarperCollins, Collins revealed to Britain that he had filled the iconic shoes of the Stig for the past seven years. In a public statement, Top Gear’s star Jeremy Clarkson said that he was disappointed in Collins and saw the revelation as a betrayal to the show and its crew.

Following a lucrative book deal with HarperCollins, it is believed that Collins received £250,000 up front to pen a tell-all book based on the stuntman’s experiences. Despite the BBC’s attempts to receive an injunction from the High Court – which was denied – Collins was able to unmask himself as the trademark white-suited motor racer.

Having hidden behind the white suit and helmet for nearly seven years, Collins was sacked immediately upon revealing his identity to the public. Clarkson, in the wake of Collins sacking, said that he believed thousands would be eager to fill the role with whatever the show’s creators came up with next. A spokesman for Top Gear said that the show would make no comments on any speculations pertaining to the identity of the Stig.

Collins, a former American NASCAR driver and stuntman for James Bond actor Daniel Craig, resides in Bristol at present with his three young children and wife. Collins went public with his identity immediately following the High Court’s rejection of BBC’s request for a temporary injunction that would have barred Collins from revealing his role as the Stig.