Robot Wars has just been cancelled again by the BBC and the fans are mad
Robot Wars, the BBC Two series presented by Dara Ó Briain and Angela Scanlon, has been cancelled for the second time.
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Hide AdThe show, which was rebooted for BBC Two in 2016, ran for three series. The BBC said the programme, which had attained a cult following, was being scrapped to "make room for new shows".
Soon after the cancellation was announced, #BringBackRobotWars began trending, instigated by the show's official account.
We are very proud of #RobotWars and would like to thank @MentornMedia, the presenters @DaraOBriain and @AngelaScanlon, and all those involved in the last three series. However, in order to create room for new shows it won't be returning to @BBCTwo.
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) March 16, 2018
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Hide AdAn announcement was made by Team Carbide, the series two winners, at 11.21am on Friday, prior to the official confirmation from the BBC press office and the Robot Wars official twitter account. A tweet from the team read:
"It's with great sadness we have to inform everyone that not only has Carbide retired, but so has Robot Wars.
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Hide Ad"It’s been an amazing three years and we look forward to competing over seas. Hopefully in our short 15 minutes of fame we have inspired a new generation of builders."
Series one winners Apollo tweeted their regret at the series being cancelled, as did Carbide, series three winners Eruption and series judge Professor Noel Sharkey.
We're getting lots of messages from young fans saying @UKRobotWars inspired them so much. This is what the show is all about and it's a shame the decision from @BBC will slow this down. But it won't stop us and the rest of the teams!
— Apollo (@apollorobot) March 16, 2018
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Hide AdCan we have Scrapheap challenge back too? @BBCTwo @Channel4 @NetflixUK @AmazonUK https://t.co/V4VZF92V9p
— Team Carbide (@TeamCarbide) March 18, 2018
#RobotWars is a great use of tax payers money to inspire the young to learn about engineering and tech for our successful future. Its The fun, friendly and exciting face of engineering.#BringBackRobotWars @DrLucyRogers @sethuvij @UKRobotWars @TheIET pic.twitter.com/e9oPSMuxl4
— Noel Sharkey (@NoelSharkey) March 18, 2018
Gutted to hear the news that there will be no more #RobotWars for the time being. We're so honoured to have been part of three amazing series.The show does not stop here! We will be travelling the UK with @extremerobots and @RobotsLive - get some tickets to support the future! pic.twitter.com/u9yjCESzcc
— Eruption - Robot Wars (@EruptionRobot) March 16, 2018
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Hide AdMany fans of the show have tweeted their disappointment at the BBC's decision and the hashtag #BringBackRobotWars started trending, as did the topic on the show. Many called for streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime to pick up the show.
Hosts Angela Scanlon, who recently celebrated the birth of her first child Ruby, and Dara Ó Briain have yet to comment publicly on the cancellation.
Apollo also announced the intention for teams featured on the show to produce a live roadshow.
We already are. https://t.co/urKPC5lZLi
— Apollo (@apollorobot) March 16, 2018
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Hide AdMeanwhile Carbide teased a possible appearance on the American show of a similar format called BattleBots. The series is broadcast in the UK by Channel 5.
Battlebots has always been an option pic.twitter.com/1qynrlyIOE
— Team Carbide (@TeamCarbide) March 17, 2018
Robot Wars originally ran from 1998 to 2003 on the BBC, then on Channel 5 until 2004.
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