Robot Wars to return after 12 years '“ and it'll be based in Scotland

BBC Two has commissioned a new series of the iconic show Robot Wars after nearly 12 years off the screens '“ and it will be based in Scotland.

Phillipa Forrester with a robot from Robot Wars. The show, off-air for 12 years, is to make a return to TV screens. Picture: PA

The man and machine battle show, which ran from 1998-2004 saw amateur “roboteers” make robots to fight against each other.

At its peak, the programme hosted by Red Dwarf star Craig Charles attracted six million viewers in the UK.

Officials said the series was being “rebooted” for BBC Two by Mentorn Scotland and would be made in a new “purpose-built fighting arena” in Glasgow.

Jayne Middlemiss and Craig Charles, former hosts of Robot Wars. Picture: PA

The new series will include a raft of technological advances since the show first aired and the new fighting arena will allow viewers to get closer to the action, with state-of-the-art cameras “capable of capturing every crushing, sawing and scorching moment in incredible detail”.

Kim Shillinglaw, controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, said: “Robot Wars is an absolute TV classic and I’m thrilled to be updating it for the next generation of viewers.

“With new technological advances making for an even more exciting and immersive experience, this is a fantastic example of the kind of content-rich factual entertainment that BBC Two excels at.”
Chris Brogden, creative director of entertainment at show producers Tinopolis, said: “Bringing back Robot Wars to our screens is hugely exciting.

“Its return will see new and improved robots, with extraordinary innovation and power in these updated machines – it promises to be quite the competition.”

Jayne Middlemiss and Craig Charles, former hosts of Robot Wars. Picture: PA

Alan Tyler, BBC acting controller of Entertainment Commissioning, added: “The redeveloped Robot Wars proved compelling, offering a mix of real people, real passion and raw power.

“It is remarkable to see how much more powerful these robots have become since the series last aired, with battles now staged in an arena that is literally bullet proof.

“And yet, the show is still fundamentally driven by the eccentricity of the brilliant brains behind the machines.”