User blog:SpaceManiac888/Ben Borthwick proposed article

"Hi, I'm Ben Borthwick, and this is my video camera. I'm using it to show a video diary for interactive television in Hull, and today I'm here at Shepperton Studios as a VIP guest at Robot Wars!"

- Ben Borthwick

Ben Borthwick is an English journalist, who starred in a Newsround and Humber Video Nations segment focusing on Extreme Warriors: Season 2 of Robot Wars. Borthwick is best known for his video diaries published on BBC's Humber Video Nations, as well as writing articles for various video game publications.

Robot Wars
"Ben's brief is to an item each week on whatever he wants. So far, he's covered issues like stress, and his new glasses. This week, it's robots!"

- Newsround

During filming for Extreme Warriors: Season 2, Borthwick attended the show as a VIP guest. As part of his role as a Humber Video Nations contributor, Borthwick was given the task of filming a weekly video on items he found interesting. His filming of the behind-the-scenes of Extreme Warriors: Season 2 was for a video diary concerning robots. "We've got soldiers... all the way to clowns! And they've all got lethal robots, with deadly weapons!"

- Ben Borthwick during filming for his video diary

Borthwick was present as part of the audience during filming for the show, with him using his video camera to record himself and the battles that were taking place. Additionally, thanks to his VIP status, Borthwick was allowed to visit The Pits and interact with roboteers. Most notably, he interviewed Team Viper, who proceeded to discuss their robot Snake Bite. In total, Borthwick filmed forty minutes worth of content. With the assistance of a BBC Hull editor called Jenny, Borthwick condensed the film into a three and a half minute video diary that was later broadcasted on BBC's Humber Video Nations. "I've just watched my first match at Robot Wars, it was absolutely fantastic, and now I'm getting filmed by Newsround, who are here with this camera. Filming me, 'cause I'm going to be on national TV! Innit brilliant!"

- Ben Borthwick during filming for his video diary

In addition, Borthwick was filmed by the Newsround crew, as part of a segment involving interactive television. Here, Borthwick not only detailed his experiences of filming Robot Wars, but also explained his responsibilities working for Humberland Video Nations, including being tasked to film using various camera shots, to ensuring that the film was edited to be fit for interactive television.

Outside Robot Wars
Borthwick continued working for Humber Video Nations until 2004. His last video diary, entitled "Gifts", was a two minute segment that discussed what presents to buy for his family, and what gifts he desired for Christmas himself.

Following Humber Video Nations, Borthwick is a full-time video game journalist, writing articles for video game publications like PC Gamer and Eurogamer. He also became the project coordinator for Women in Gaming - 100 Professionals of Play, released in 2018.

Trivia

 * Despite Borthwick filming the behind-the-scenes of Extreme Warriors: Season 2 for both Humber Video Nations and Newsround, the US show never actually aired on UK television.
 * Borthwick's brother, Gavin, was also present during filming. He can be seen sitting next to Borthwick as the latter watches the show. Gavin also made appearances in Borthwick's video diaries.