A TILEHURST teenager has made her TV debut on Top Gear presenting a scouting award to The Stig, the programmes mysterious un-named racing driver. Amy Brunsdon, aged 17, was part of a panel of young Scouts who nominated celebrities for their skills and knowledge as part of the Scout movement’s 101st Birthday.

The Year 12 pupil, at Little Heath School, was then given the duty of presenting The Stig, the Top Gear stunt driver, with the motor sports instructor badge. She said: “He’s inspired lots of people to drive responsibly and safely. It’s important and that’s why we chose him.

“The whole experience was quite surreal actually, I didn’t know where to look because he kept his helmet on and his visor down the whole time. “It’s odd speaking to this man and you have no idea what he looks like.”

Miss Brunsdon, a member of the Phoenix Explorer Scouts, visited the Top Gear track in Guildford and also got the opportunity to meet presenters Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson. The Top Gear team said they were delighted that The Stig received the award but that he was “terrified” of Scouts.

However after a wrestling match, which was aired on the show on Sunday July 27, with Amy and Scouting pal Tom Rochester, it is believed he has now overcome his fears. Miss Brunsdon, who has a 15-year-old brother named Robin, added: “Yes, The Stig did attack us. He has irrational fears and apparently one of them happens to be Scouts.

“The tussle between us was purely comical and having spoke to The Stig for a long period of time he soon conquered his fear of Scouts.”

Some of the most popular celebrities who were given badges of honour were Jamie Oliver who won the healthy eating badge, Ewan McGreggor and Charley Boorman who won the navigator award and Alexa Chung, who won a global conservation badge. The Scout’s were first established by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 and today the chief scout is former Blue Peter presenter, Peter Duncan.

He said: “These individuals have all been identified by a panel of Scouts as positive role models for young people today. “We are delighted to have awarded them the appropriate badges to celebrate the birthday of scouting.

"All badge winners should feel proud that they have inspired so many young people to challenge themselves and try new activities and adventures."

Source: Newbury Today