The Stig
He was one of several people suspected of portraying the elusive masked racing driver The Stig on the current format of "Top Gear". The true identity of The Stig was eventually revealed as being Ben Collins late in production, necessitating Needell's return to "Top Gear" after a nine-year absence to train director Danny Boyle for his lap in the reasonably-priced car. In the same episode Clarkson referred to Needell as the "Emergency Stig".