Stig imposter underlines nation's appetite for all things Stig

As brand icons go, it really doesn't get much better than Top Gear's tamed racing driver, the Stig.

The BBC (or more specifically Jeremy Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman) probably didn't fully grasp the impact their masked racing driver would make, but there's little doubt the Stig's costume is burned onto the nation's consciousness with indelible ink.

Now the public relationship with the 'man' seems to have reached about the same level as the one Elvis achieved decades after his death – the Stig is being replicated outside of the BBC's careful control. The Telegraph (amongst others) has reported the case of a chap on the M6 who followed an imposter for 30 minutes before cornering him in Forton Service Station to have his picture taken.