Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars

Battle of the Stars
The Battle of the Stars logo
Structure Information
Number of Competing Robots	8
History
Number of times held	2
UK Series	9
UK Incumbent Champion	Arena Cleaner Kadeena Machina

Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars aired over the Christmas period of 2016, having been filmed alongside Series 9. Two episodes were aired, featuring eight celebrities across both.

Battle of the Stars was the second iteration of Celebrity Robot Wars, and differed from Series 4's Celebrity Special, as the celebrities entered their own brand-new machines, rather than borrowing existing competitors.

Format

The celebrities competed with robots built by Robo Challenge that the celebrities had designed themselves, and were each paired up with a veteran competitor of Robot Wars, or "mentor", to help repair the robots, and give advice throughout the competition process. The celebrities were often joined by family and friends to form a full team.

The event was split into two shows, each featuring four robots. The robots competed in a round-robin tournament, much like the second round of the previous series, where they would face each of their opponents in a head-to-head battle. The winner of each battle would be given points: three for a knockout and two on a Judges' decision. The two robots with the most points at the end of the round faced each other again in the final, to determine a Battle of the Stars champion.

Competitors

Celebrity	Occupation	Mentor	Robot
Scott Mills and Chris Stark	BBC Radio 1 DJs	Dave Moulds	Arena Cleaner
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock	Scientist, TV presenter	Shane Swan	Interstellar: MML
Jonathan and Alastair Brownlee	Triathletes	Gabriel Stroud	Jar
Suzi Perry and Dallas Campbell	TV Presenters	Craig Danby	The Cat
Jordan Stephens	Rapper in duo Rizzle Kicks, actor	John Reid	Dee
Kadeena Cox	Paralympic runner/cyclist	Ellis Ware	Kadeena Machina
Robbie Savage	Football pundit and former player	Jason Marston	Robo Savage
Neil Oliver	Archaeologist, historian, author, TV presenter	Will Thomas	Soldier Ant

TV presenter and comedian Jonathan Ross was invited to compete, having previously expressed interest over Twitter, but could not participate due to filming taking place while he was working in Japan.

All of the celebrities controlled either the robot's drive or weapon during the competition, with the exception of Neil Oliver, as Soldier Ant's drive and weaponry were both operated by his two children, Teddy and Archie.

Episode 1

Main article: Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars/Episode 1

The first episode was the first of Series 9, airing on December 28th, 2016.

Competitors: Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee with Jar, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock with Interstellar: MML, Suzi Perry and Dallas Campbell with The Cat, Scott Mills and Chris Stark with Arena Cleaner

Head-to-Head Battles

• Arena Cleaner vs Interstellar: MML: Arena Cleaner won by KO
• Jar vs The Cat: The Cat won by KO

• Arena Cleaner vs The Cat: The Cat won by KO
• Interstellar: MML vs Jar: Jar won by Judges' decision

• Interstellar: MML vs The Cat: Interstellar: MML won by KO
• Arena Cleaner vs Jar: Arena Cleaner won by KO

Grand Final

• Arena Cleaner vs The Cat: Arena Cleaner won

Episode 2

Main article: Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars/Episode 2

The second episode was aired on December 29th, 2016.

Celebrities competing: Robbie Savage with Robo Savage, Jordan Stephens with Dee, Neil Oliver with Soldier Ant, Kadeena Cox with Kadeena Machina

Head-to-Head Battles

• Kadeena Machina vs Robo Savage: Kadeena Machina won by KO
• Dee vs Soldier Ant: Soldier Ant won by Judges' Decision

• Robo Savage vs Soldier Ant: Robo Savage won by KO
• Dee vs Kadeena Machina: Kadeena Machina won by KO

• Dee vs Robo Savage: Dee won by Judges' Decision
• Kadeena Machina vs Soldier Ant: Kadeena Machina won by KO

Grand Final

• Kadeena Machina vs Robo Savage: Kadeena Machina won

Gallery

Sir Killalot promotes the Christmas specials

Robot Wars - Battle of the Stars- Preview - BBC

Official Preview/Opening

Trivia

• All the robots featured the same battery and motor type, and all robots bar Dee used the same set of two wheels, largely due to them being stock components ordered by Robo Challenge.
• The possibility of Battle of the Stars was first hinted at when audience ticket distributors Lost in TV first revealed that Series 9 would feature recording blocks featuring celebrities. Battle of the Stars was officially revealed by Radio Times on November 22, 2016. BBC Two confirmed this information on November 24, revealing Scott Mills and Chris Stark as competitors.