Robot Wars 2016 reboot: Classic show returning to the BBC for new series this year

Roboteers, stand by: your favourite Nineties robot-fighting contest is coming back.

Yes, the BBC are rebooting Robot Wars for a new six-episode series later this year.

The show offered the thrilling spectacle of machine-based combat, fire-traps, deadly pits, and metal-on-metal action – or, nerds in fleeces twiddling with remote controls – as competing teams entered homemade robots into arena battles to see which came out on top.

The show originally aired on Friday nights on BBC Two between 1998 and 2001, presented by Craig Charles.

As well as the competing robots, the series also featured a range of ‘house robots’ with names such as Sir Killalot and Shunt, who would cause chaos for the hopeful teams.

It is currently unknown which of the iconic ‘bots could be making a return – or who will present the series.

“The redeveloped Robot Wars proved compelling – offering a mix of real people, real passion and raw power,” said the BBC’s Alan Tyler.