BBC wins request for Stig case to be held in secret

The costumed Top Gear stunt driver had planned to unmask himself in a candid new autobiography, but his employers are seeking an injunction to prevent HarperCollins from publishing the book.

Mr Justice Morgan yesterday granted the Corporation's request for the case to be heard in private, ruling that a public hearing “would defeat the object”.

HarperCollins had applied for the public to be allowed to sit in on the case, arguing that it wanted to defend its reputation openly against perceived criticism in the press.
The Stig races a variety of cars on the Top Gear programme clad in white overalls and a blacked-out visa, and only about six people - including the programme’s presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond - know his identity for certain.
The secrecy has elevated him to cult status and spawned t-shirts with slogans such as "My Dad is the Stig", but he is said to be unhappy that other presenters are able to earn considerable sums from book deals and promotional products.
The BBC claims that the mystery driver signed a confidentiality agreement and argues that blowing his cover would spoil viewers’ enjoyment of the flagship BBC 2 show.
HarperCollins has criticised the Corporation for spending license payers’ money on the attempt to block the book.
The publisher said in a statement: "We will vigorously defend the perfectly legitimate right of this individual to tell his story".
Top Gear’s executive producer, Andy Wilman, responded by accusing HarperCollins of being “a bunch of chancers” who were trying to “cash in” after contributing “absolutely bugger all” to the show’s eight-year creation.
Writing on the Top Gear blog, he also made a sideswip at the Stig, writing: "It's an issue of trust. Everyone who's ever worked on Top Gear has kept the Stig thing a secret, and the person who wears the suit has signed confidentiality agreements to do the same…Your word is supposed to mean something."
Speculation that the Stig could be Ben Collins, a racing driver and stuntman from Bristol, intensified earlier this month after the accounts of his company, Collins Autosport, were found to list “driving services provided for the BBC, mainly in the Top Gear programme”.
The 35-year-old, who has performed as a James Bond stunt double, was also “outed” as the Stig in 2009, when a builder, Jason Goody, claimed to have come across his famous white suit and gloves on display in a cabinet while working in his home.
Simon Whitehead, a Bristol gallery owner, later claimed that Mr Collins had identified himself as the mystery driver and asked if an artist could help produce a limited-edition print of him in action.
The current “white” Stig took on the role in 2003 after the original “black” Stig, the racing driver Perry McCarthy, outed himself in an autobiography called Flat Out, Flat Broke.

Zac Efron Gets Some Tips from Tom Cruise

An unlikely bromance has bloomed between Tom Cruise and Zac Efron, who recently became friends after bonding over their love of motorcycles. The two men apparently talk all the time, and Tom has even become Zac's so-called "professional and personal guru."

A source said: "Tom and Zac clicked the minute they met. Now, when Zac gets a script to consider, his first call is to Tom. Tom warned Zac to diversify and not get pigeon-holed in one type of role.”

Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes (Bauer Griffin) In addition to giving the High School Musical actor professional advice, Tom, who is married to Katie Holmes, advises his young friend in personal matters too.

The source explained to the National Enquirer: "Zac is extremely shrewd, but he considers Tom a personal and professional guru.

“Tom also warned Zac how to conduct himself in public."

The pair are enjoying their bonding sessions so much, they're even considering working on a new movie together.

The source added: "They've even talked about teaming up on a film together -- the way Tom did with Paul Newman in the 1986 film The Color of Money."

Career advisor Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is giving Zac Efron career advice.

The two actors – who recently became friends after realizing they are both motorcycle enthusiasts – speak regularly, with Hollywood legend Tom becoming the younger star's “professional and personal guru”.

A source said: “Tom and Zac clicked the minute they met.

“Now, when Zac gets a script to consider, his first call is to Tom. Tom warned Zac to diversify and not get pigeon-holed in one type of role.”

As well as giving the 'High School Musical' actor professional advice, the 'Knight and Day' star – who is married to Katie Holmes – advises his young friend of personal matters too.

The source explained to National Enquirer magazine: “Zac is extremely shrewd, but he considers Tom a personal and professional guru.”

“Tom also warned Zac how to conduct himself in public.”

The pair are enjoying their bonding sessions so much, they are even considering working on a new movie together.

The source added: “They've even talked about teaming up on a film together – the way Tom did with Paul Newman I the 1986 film 'The Color of Money'.”

Pakistani-Twitter-user-gets-Tom-Cruise-to-bail-out-flood-victims

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's tweeters are leaving no stone unturned to embarrass the international community, which hasn't yet done enough for victims of the devastating floods, by asking them why they aren't singing "We are the world" for the country.

Natasha Jahangir, a New York based photographer and architecture major, got Hollywood actor Tom Cruise to ask his fans to contribute for the flood victims through a tweet.

"It's so sad (that) Tom Cruise is ignoring his Pakistani fans. Help raise awareness/donations for Pakistan," read Jahangir's message to Cruise.

Though Cruise was quiet for two days, the "Mission Impossible" star responded with "People of Pakistan, our thoughts are with you."

Cruise encouraged his nearly million fans on Twitter to send at least 10 dollars through their mobiles by texting the word "flood". His message was retweeted by hundreds of fans.

What is baffling Jahangir and other young Pakistanis is why the international community isn't pooling resources for flood victims.

Jahangir's standard message ever since reads: "I don't hear anyone singing 'We are the world for Pakistan'."

In her own words she has been mass tweeting to celebs like a "mad spammer" with or without much success. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who has over 3.4 million followers on Twitter, asked his fans to donate 10 dollars to a Pakistan relief fund following a tweet from Jahangir.

Though Jahangir got lucky she isn't the only one reaching out to the stars. Zara, another Pakistani Twitter user, has been doing much the same.

"I can't begin to tell you all how lucky Ms Jahangir has been in tweeting, because I have been doing the same.

Luckily, I caught the attention of Angelina Jolie so far and it worked," she posted on a blog.

Tom Cruise Working Out Like Crazy, Thinking Plastic Surgery

 As he’s preparing to reprise his role as daredevil agent Ethan Hunt for “Mission: Impossible 4,” which goes into production this year, Tom Cruise has changed his lifestyle to get back in shape and is even considering plastic surgery.

According to the print issue of InTouch Weekly (story via here), Cruise is somewhat fearful that audiences and, most importantly, studio bosses will think he’s lost that certain something he had to make the character believable.

As such, he’s determined to shave off 10 years of both his body and his face: with strenuous workouts for the former and some help from plastic surgery for the latter. His determination must be even greater now that Oscar-nominee Jeremy Renner (of the Oscar-winning “The Hurt Locker”) has been cast as his younger associate who may even take his place for a potential fifth film.

“A month after celebrating his 48th birthday, Tom Cruise has vowed to shave years off his face – and physique. His goal? To look 10 years younger by the time he begins shooting Mission Impossible IV later this year,” writes the tab.

Since making the decision to get back in top shape, Cruise has been spending as much as three hours every single day at the gym, while also going on a diet and seriously considering getting some plastic surgery.

“Tom has put himself on a strict fitness routine and diet, which includes daily three-hour workouts and a low-carb meal plan consisting of 1,200-1,300 calories per day,” dishes a well-places but unnamed source.

“Tom had to fight hard to reprise his role as super agent Ethan Hunt – Paramount reportedly blamed Tom for the disappointing performance of MI:3, and they wanted someone younger – and cheaper – for the sequel,” the mag writes.

So Cruise is actually getting a never-expected second chance from Paramount with the fourth flick, which would explain why he’s determined to show that can “be” younger. He also reportedly accepted a cut in his usual fee, just to be allowed back on board.

“Tom is determined to look like he did 10 years ago… he has been working out with his personal trainer, and he is also considering getting Botox and fillers to smooth out his skin,” the same spy explains for the publication.

Admittedly, Cruise is so “focused” on his goal of making an energetic and believable Ethan Hunt that he’s not even visiting wife Katie and daughter Suri in Toronto because, claims the spy, “he doesn’t want any distractions.”

Tom Cruise donate for Pak flood-victims

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood mega star Tom Cruise has called upon his fans using social networking to give donations for the people affected by unprecedented floods in Pakistan. Tom Cruise’s message appears on Twitter in which he said: “People of Pakistan, our thoughts R with U.” He appealed for sending 10 dollars by phone by texting “Flood” to 27722.

Tom Cruise crashes teen fan's dirt bike

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise crashed a teenage fan's dirt bike into a wall while showing off some stunts.

The 'Knight and Day' star was reportedly asked by the fan to have a go on the speedy two-wheeled vehicle outside the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood. He lost control, crashed and ended up scraping the bike all up the side, reports contactmusic.com.

He reportedly told the young fan: 'Guess I got a bit carried away. Give me your name and phone number, and I'll have it fixed good as new'.

However, the teenager decided he would rather keep the bike in damaged state, autographed by Cruise.

As he started to head home, the teenager is said to have shouted at the actor: 'Thanks for breaking my bike in