The on-going soap opera between Top Gear and Ben Collins has taken yet another turn towards the unexpected after reports indicating that the latter has officially jumped to the competition, Fifth Gear.

Though not as popular as Top Gear – it certainly can’t boast of the cult-like following Clarkson and the boys currently enjoy these days – Fifth Gear is no stranger to plucking ex-Top Gear hosts and bringing them into their show with Collins being the third ex-Top Gear star to jump onboard the Fifth Gear boat following Tiff Needell and Vickie Butler-Henderson.

Steve Gowans, the head of Channel 5’s factual entertainment division, couldn’t contain his excitement in having the controversial Collins in Fifth Gear. "We're delighted to have the Ben on board – it will be fascinating to see how he does in a head-to-head with Tiff and Jason – the best drivers on TV."

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For his part, Collins is also looking forward to the new challenges of being a member of the Fifth Gear team. “I'm delighted to be joining the Fifth Gear team," he said. "I’m looking forward to a new set of exciting challenges, apparently with and without the helmet."

Collins is expected to make his season debut in Fifth Gear when the new season begins less than two weeks from now. As far as what we should expect from the “Artist Formerly Known as Stig”, reports have indicated that Collins will play a few roles similar to what he was tasked to do at Top Gear, although minus the white overalls and helmet, which, incidentally, is the property of Top Gear.

There seems to be no end in sight with Top Gear and Ben Collins. Now, it looks like Fifth Gear is joining in on the entire soap opera.