Olympic brothers Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee, former footballer Robbie Savage and Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills are among the names who will feature in the celebrity Christmas specials of Robot Wars.

Two festive episodes of the popular BBC Two show, which returned to screens this year after a more than 10-year absence, will be shown.

Celebrities who will join presenters Dara O Briain and Angela Scanlon in Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars include sports presenter Suzi Perry and double gold British Paralympian Kadeena Cox.

Dara O Briain and Angela Scanlon in Robot Wars (Alan Peebles/BBC/Mentorn Media Scotland)
Dara O Briain and Angela Scanlon in Robot Wars (Alan Peebles/BBC/Mentorn Media Scotland)

Each Christmas episode will run for an hour, with four celebrity teams per episode and their roboteer mentors competing in the purpose-built fighting arena in Glasgow.

The first episode will see Robbie, Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan Stephens, TV archaeologist and author Neil Oliver and Kadeena battling it out against the House Robots to claim the coveted Robot Wars Trophy.

The second episode will feature the Brownlee brothers, space scientist Doctor Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Suzy and Scott, who will also be joined by his radio colleague, Chris Stark.

Robot Wars' Dead Metal, Sir Killalot, Matilda, Shunt The House Robots (Alan Peebles/BBC/Mentorn Media Scotland)
The Robot Wars House Robots (Alan Peebles/BBC/Mentorn Media Scotland)

Robbie said: “I am a big fan of Robot Wars so I am really excited to get into the arena and experience the fights first-hand. Flipper robots did really well in the series so I hope our robot doesn’t let us down and flips the competition out of the arena once and for all.”

Neil said he hoped his sons’ enthusiasm for the show would inspire him with the “creation of a mechanical monster with the apocalyptic power to crush our competition into a festive pulp”.

The Brownlee brothers said the chance to compete on the show fulfilled a childhood dream.

Jonny and Alistair Brownlee with their Olympic triathlon medals
Jonny and Alistair Brownlee with their Olympic triathlon medals (Ian West/PA)

They said: “It will be a nice change working as a team rather than competing against each other and we hope we can add a Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars title to our collection of medals.”

Suzi said: “I’ve designed the robot, now it’s all down to gadget warfare and I can’t wait to get into the arena to take on my opponents.”

Suzi Perry (Ian West/PA)
Suzi Perry (Ian West/PA)

The show, which features duelling robots, was originally broadcast by the BBC from 1998 to 2003 and then on Channel 5 until 2004. It proved a ratings winner after it was rebooted on BBC Two earlier this year.

Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars will air on December 28 and 29 on BBC Two at 8pm.