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Top Gear's The Stig is immortalised as a 100 foot high statue appears outside the BBC... as Chris Evans 'pays homage' to his co-host by wearing a white racing helmet

Published: 16:09 GMT, 18 May 2016 | Updated: 17:28 GMT, 18 May 2016

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Some say he was left behind by Jeremy Clarkson, others say that he was the only one not 'let go' following THAT fracas; and some say that the BBC have immortalized him as a statue.

And though it's not known what The Stig had to endure during the turbulent hiatus of Top Gear, the show's icon was certainly thrust into the limelight when a giant statue was placed outside the BBC.

Erected on Tuesday night, the 100 foot high stands at the entrance of the company's flagship building, on Regent's Street, and it seems that even Chris Evans was in the mood to pay homage to the tame racing driver.

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It's The Stig! though it's not known what The Stig had to endure during the turbulent hiatus of Top Gear, the show's icon was certainly thrust into the limelight when a giant statue was placed outside the BBC

Standing proudly on a plinth outside the main entrance, the realistic statue has certainly captured the stoic personality of the mute cast member.

Famous for not speaking at all during the character's entire tenure on the motoring show, the statue has the mysterious racing driver posing with his arms crossed in typical Stig fashion.

Clad in the iconic white racing suit and helmet of the second and third Stig - as the original black Stig was killed off in a drag race against a harrier jet on on HMS Invincible - the statue was unmistakably making a statement about Top Gear.

Stig? Erected on Tuesday night, the 100 foot high stands at the entrance of the company's flagship building, on Regent's Street, and it seems that even Chris Evans was in the mood to pay homage to the tame racing driver

Which one is which? Standing proudly on a plinth outside the main entrance, the realistic statue has certainly captured the stoic personality of the mute cast member

Stood atop a plinth, the statue looks over the main courtyard of the BBC; all the while drawing attention to the premiere of the new Top Gear, which airs on May 29.

And it seems that no one was more pleased with its arrival than the subject of the artwork, The Stig himself, who turned up to watch the statue erected.

Though others may not be so bowled over by the behemoth's appearance at Broadcasting house, it seemed that Chris Evans had his mind firmly on all things Stig on Wednesday morning.

Leaving his BBC 2 Radio breakfast, the presenter appeared to have taken some influence from his co-star, and donned a white racing helmet.

A little homage? Though others may not be so bowled over by the behemoth's appearance at Broadcasting house, it seemed that Chris Evans had his mind firmly on all things Stig on Wednesday morning

Taking some style tips? Leaving his BBC 2 Radio breakfast, the presenter appeared to have taken some influence from his co-star, and donned a white racing helmet

Safety first! And while he wasn't just making a fashion statement - as the presenter was heading out on his trike - the presenter's headgear seemed to pay homage to The Stig's iconic look

And while he wasn't just making a fashion statement - as the presenter was heading out on his trike - the presenter's headgear seemed to pay homage to The Stig's iconic look.

Chris looked to be in a rush as he departed, keeping his head down and making a swift exit on his quirky motorcycle.

The new re-vamped version of the show sees the 50-year-old presenter teamed up with former Friends star Matt LeBlanc, 48, to front the show.

Returning to BBC Two at the end of May, the show will face some competition from its former hosts in the Autumn when Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond release their Amazon Prime show, The Great Escape.

New and revamped: The new re-vamped version of the show sees the 50-year-old presenter teamed up with former Friends star Matt LeBlanc, 48, to front the show