DARA O BRIAIN has been named as co-presenter of geek-fest ROBOT WARS and
declared: “I am thrilled.”
BBC2
is bringing back the series in which contestants build robots to pit
against each other and “house robots” with names like Refbot, Sir Killalot
and Sergeant Bash. It was last seen on our screens on Channel 5 in 2004.
Dara’s co-star on the six-part series, to screen later this year, will be
Irish host Angela Scanlon.
And the original commentator Jonathan Pearce – known for his exclamations like
“Bow down to the mechanical might of Sir Killalot!” – will be back to call
the action.
Dara and his fellow compatriot Angela will report on the robots and the teams,
and obtain feedback from the judges.
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The BBC has announced all the action will come from a new purpose-built
fighting arena in Glasgow.
State-of-the-art cameras capable of capturing every saw, claw and
flame-thrower will allow viewers to feel even closer to the action. It
follows the format of the original series – fronted by Jeremy Clarkson and
then Craig Charles – which was broadcast on the BBC from 1998 to 2002.
Teams of amateur roboteers see their imaginatively armed creations go head to
head with the sole purpose of destroying their competitor. The new six-part
series promises a “raft of technological advances”.
O Briain said: “I am thrilled to be presenting Robot Wars. For too long, the
schedules have cried out for a show in which dedicated amateurs, toiling day
and night, handcraft sophisticated automatons built on the delicate
interplay of hand-wired servo motors with custom-built circuit boards and
fingertip motion control, just to see them get smashed to pieces by a
dustbin carrying a massive hammer.
“It’s war, and how I love it so.”
Scanlon, who has also worked for Irish broadcaster RTE, said: “I’m so excited
to be joining such a legendary show that, after all this time, still manages
to make people squeal with joy.
“I cannot wait to see the robots in all their metallic glory playfully
destroying each other.”
Pearce said: “Robot Wars is an immensely enjoyable programme to commentate on.
I am delighted to be involved and back among the cut and thrust of the robot
battles.”
The series was last broadcast on Channel 5 from 2003 until 2004, but fans
fondly recall the house robots.