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"So far on the wars, Mace 2 battled through to the Series Semi-Final. Ring-a-ding dinger, the death knell for Stinger! Next up was Weeliwako, and Suicidal Tendencies also fell. In Heat B, Pitbull was let off its leash, attacking Sump Thing, then Technophobic. And even though it was rolled by Behemoth, the opponent was rumbled and tumbled and Pitbull went through. And then last week, Blade cut a dash, sliced and slashed Spike, pulped Agent Orange, booted Aggrobot and went through, so let's get ready for more robot rumbles!"
Jonathan Pearce's introduction

Heat D of Robot Wars: The Third Wars (also referred to in recaps as Heat 4) was the fourth of sixteen Heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Third Wars. The episode featuring Heat D was originally broadcast on 31 December 1999 on BBC Two. The broadcast managed to attract 2.72 million viewers, a decrease of 1.14 million viewers when compared with the previous episode. According to BARB, this meant it ranked fourteenth in the top thirty highest rated BBC Two broadcasts during 27 December-2 January.

"Now don't tell anyone I told you this, but a few years ago, where a nuclear power station near here; a broken down old microwave and toaster were thrown out to rust. Now no one thought anything about them, until they were exposed to some radioactive waste and mutated into the most hideous appliances ever. Now, together they lived happily and made some beautiful toast, but then the toaster fell in love with a teasmade called "Delilah", and then the fighting started. That's how Robot Wars was born. Three years later, and the descendants are about to go to battle again, but this time it's not over a teasmade, it's over a place in our Series Semi-Finals!"
Craig Charles' introduction

Competing Robots[]

Newcomers[]

Big briother S3 offical image
Big Brother
Weight 78.0kg
Dimensions 0.42 x 1.0 x 0.82m
Clearance Variable
Power 2 x Electric Motors
Weapons Steel Whip & Wrecking Ball
Notes Cost £400
From: Brighton
Team Members: Ian Watts, Joe Watts & Wayland Twiston-Davies
Bumblebot S3 Crop
Bumblebot
Weight 79.6kg
Dimensions 1.27 x 1.0 x 1.27m
Clearance 0.04m
Power 2 x Drive Motors
Weapons Pneumatic Ram
Notes Can Run Upside-Down
From: Reading
Team Members: Andy Noyes, Mat Jarvis & Sarah Corps
Flipper S3 Crop
Flipper
Weight 80.2kg
Dimensions 0.50 x 1.0 x 0.51m
Clearance 0.03m
Power 2 x Starter Motors
Weapons Compressed Air Axe & Spikes
Notes Can Right Itself By Flipping
From: Essex
Team Members: Kelvin Duhy, Josephine Duhy & Richard Duhy
Grim Reaper S3 Crop
Grim Reaper
Weight 80.6kg
Dimensions 0.45 x 1.54 x 0.68m
Clearance 0.06m
Power 2 x Car Motors
Weapons Air Ram & Spike
Notes Cost £400
From: Bognor Regis
Team Members: Simon Smith, Luke Smith & Gary Smith
Shell Shock Crop
Shell Shock
Weight 56.0kg
Dimensions 0.44 x 0.82 x 0.80m
Clearance 0.05m
Power 2 x Golf Cart Motors
Weapons Powered Axe
Notes Sheet Steel Shell
From: Colchester
Team Members: Oliver Young, Paul Logan & Richard Wilson
Sir Chromalot S3
Sir Chromalot
Weight 78.7kg
Dimensions 0.66 x 0.68m
Clearance 0.0 - 0.01m
Power 6 x Cordless Drill Motors
Weapons Cobalt Cutter
Notes Cost £3,000
From: Essex
Team Members: Steve Merrill, Steve Smith & David Whitehead
Ultor official image
Ultor
Weight 79.4kg
Dimensions 0.65 x 1.04 x 0.75m
Clearance 0.01-0.03m
Power 2 x Lawnmower Motors
Weapons Powered Axe Attack
Notes Cost £1,000
From: Cambridgeshire
Team Members: Roger Golder & Barnaby Golder

Veterans[]

Milly-Ann Bug S3 Crop
Milly-Ann Bug
Weight 75.7kg
Dimensions 0.68 x 1.39 x 0.64m
Clearance 0.01m
Power 4 x Electric Motors
Weapons Steel Spikes
Notes Cost £1,000
From: Leeds
Team Members: Geoff Warren, Martin Dawson & Mark Whitworth

Round 1[]

"Well. We shall wait and see, Philippa. Sir Chromalot first up, booted and suited to kick out Shell Shock. Big Brother with little Joe. Will it be checkmate for Grim Reaper, a spooky looking robot? Bumblebot and the insect war against Milly-Ann Bug. And then it's Flipper against Ultor: a family at war, or heading for Family Fortunes?"
— Jonathan Pearce announces the line-ups for the first round

Sir Chromalot vs Shell Shock[]

Sir Chromalot vs Shell Shock

Sir Chromalot rams Shell Shock

Sir Chromalot started by charging at Shell Shock, which turned away as its opponent closed in. Shell Shock drove into the wall, and Sir Chromalot held back as Shell Shock turned away from the wall, only to drive onto the arena spikes. The spikes lowered, and Shell Shock turned to face Sir Chromalot, which rammed and got its front spike through the turtle-themed machine's axe head. Sir Chromalot tried pushing Shell Shock whilst it had the latter's axe hooked, but Shell Shock turned away, getting its axe free. Sir Chromalot turned, then turned back and charged at Shell Shock, ramming it onto the spikes, which lifted Shell Shock up. Sir Chromalot left Shell Shock on the spikes as they held the Colchester entry's wheels off the ground. Shell Shock tried to get away, but one of the spikes prevented it from doing so. As a result, it resorted to turning around on the one wheel that touched the floor, until the spikes lowered, and Shell Shock was able to drive away.

"In comes the spike from Sir Chromalot, immediately penetrating the shell! Oh, look at that! Already a puncture mark. The axe flails away for Shell Shock... and actually now seems permanently down!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Sir Chromalot pushes Shell Shock onto the arena spikes
Sir Chromalot vs Shell Shock

Sgt. Bash torches both robots

As Shell Shock drove towards the arena centre, Sir Chromalot charged at it, but Shell Shock turned to attack Sir Chromalot's side and pushed against it. Sir Chromalot reversed a little, then rammed into Shell Shock. Shell Shock reversed, and tried turning away as Sir Chromalot drove at it, but drove into the arena wall. Sir Chromalot rammed into Shell Shock again, puncturing the side with its spike while pushing it along the wall down to the edge of Matilda's CPZ. There, Shell Shock was pinned in place against an arena saw, before Matilda lifted it up with her tusks and pushed it into the arena centre.

After being jostled up and down by the House Robot, Shell Shock was released near the bottom perimeter. It then proceeded to drive across the arena, its axe hanging loose, with Sir Chromalot in pursuit. Shell Shock drove close to Sir Killalot's CPZ, and Sir Chromalot drove into its side to prevent it from getting away. Shell Shock was lifted up by the arena spike, and, as it turned off the spike, it drove to the edge of the CPZ. Sir Chromalot capitalised by pushing its opponent into the waiting Sir Killalot.

"The knights combine together! Oh lovely, how posh!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Shell Shock is attacked by both Sir Chromalot and Sir Killalot
S3CPZ

Sir Chromalot pushes Shell Shock towards Sir Killalot's CPZ

Sir Killalot got his lance under Shell Shock's side, hooking onto the base. He proceeded to lift and turn Shell Shock sideways with the drill bit, almost flipping it entirely over. A collision with the nearby wall allowed Shell Shock to be released and to fall back to its wheels. Shell Shock spun around on the spot, but could not get away from the CPZ, instead driving back into it. As Sir Killalot tried to attack, it was able to drive forwards, but was followed and pinned down by the former's lance. Sir Killalot proceeded to break the head for Shell Shock's snail mascot with his drill. Sir Chromalot pinned Shell Shock against Sir Killalot; Sir Killalot got his lance under Shell Shock's side once more and lifted it up a little. Sir Chromalot pushed Shell Shock against Sir Killalot again, and Sir Killalot reversed. Shell Shock turned, and Sir Killalot gave it a little push, then reversed. Shell Shock turned to face Sir Chromalot, and Sir Chromalot got its spike in the front of Shell Shock and pushed it towards the pit.

"Trying to get away again, is Oliver Young and the boys. You just get the sense if... Sir Chromalot can edge Shell Shock towards that pit, it could all be over!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Sir Chromalot pushes Shell Shock towards the pit
Sir Chromalot Shell Shock pit

Sir Chromalot is nudged into the Pit

Shell Shock turned away, getting behind Sir Chromalot, which tried to use its rear spike. Suddenly, smoke began rising from inside Sir Chromalot. Shell Shock's axe head detached from its handle, and Sir Chromalot became stuck on it. Sir Chromalot raised its ground clearance to try and get free, but the House Robots rushed out, indicating that it had apparently been considered immobile. Matilda got its tusks under Sir Chromalot and lifted it, nearly pushing it into the pit. After being dropped, Sir Chromalot backed away from the hazard edge, then stopped. It then drove forwards, and was indirectly blocked from driving into the pit on its own by Matilda's tusks. Matilda lifted Sir Chromalot up with her tusks, before Sir Killalot finally pitted it.

"The House Robots... goodness me, the high rollers are rolled out! But should the House Robots have got involved there?"
— Jonathan Pearce

In spite of the problems affecting Sir Chromalot, the Judges ruled that it should not have been pushed into the pit as they had noticed its continued mobility beforehand. As a result, they assessed the battle on points up to the moment the House Robots interfered. Sir Chromalot was awarded the victory, to the bemusement of Craig Charles and chagrin of Team Shell Shock.

"Ooh boo! Hiss! But it's Sir Chromalot who go through controversially. And next up, Big Brother, against Grim Reaper."
— Jonathan Pearce

Winner: Sir Chromalot

Big Brother vs Grim Reaper[]

Grim brother

Grim Reaper and Big Brother duel

Grim Reaper had the faster start, charging straight at and over Big Brother's front wedge shape. Big Brother took advantage, pushing Grim Reaper across the arena and into Sgt. Bash's CPZ. Grim Reaper escaped before Sgt. Bash could attack, and Big Brother drove into the arena centre. Grim Reaper gave chase, but then turned, driving past Big Brother, and carried on until it drove close to Sgt. Bash's CPZ. Sgt. Bash gave Grim Reaper a warning shove, and Grim Reaper reversed into Big Brother. Big Brother tried to get under Grim Reaper again, just as the latter reversed over its wedge lip after being bumped by Sgt. Bash, now fully out of his CPZ. The Brighton entry took advantage by pushing Grim Reaper towards and past the pit, but backed out as it nearly drove into the pit itself.

"Underneath goes Big Brother, but very dangerously towards the Pit of Oblivion! Big Brother, what on earth were they doing there?"
— Jonathan Pearce as Big Brother nearly pits itself while trying to eliminate Grim Reaper
Grim Reaper Big Brother tyre

Grim Reaper loses a tyre

Grim Reaper crawled across the arena, then charged at and launched over the wedge shape of Big Brother while circling back into the centre. Big Brother drove into Sgt. Bash's CPZ, but quickly escaped, and Grim Reaper charged at it. Big Brother tried getting away, but Grim Reaper was too quick for it, using the spike on Big Brother's side to slam it against the top arena wall. However, the impact caused one of Grim Reaper's wheels to fall off.

"Grim Reaper has lost a wheel! The wheel's come off! Slamming then, into the back of Big Brother, and the wheel comes spinning off, and no time for a pit change here! That's... wheely stupid driving."
— Jonathan Pearce as Grim Reaper's wheel comes off
Killalot crushes bb and gr

Sir Killalot drives over Grim Reaper and Big Brother

Grim Reaper reversed, then tried driving back at its opponent, but the lost wheel prevented it from turning, and it narrowly missed its charge. Big Brother turned and drove towards Sir Killalot, and Grim Reaper was able to ram into its side with its front spike, though this did no damage. Sir Killalot drove over Big Brother's wedge, alongside the front of Grim Reaper, rendering both competitors immobile. Sgt. Bash came out of his CPZ, pushing against Grim Reaper, and Sir Killalot turned back into the competitors, lifting and turning Grim Reaper over with his lance.

"It's burning in there! Big Brother, smoking away from the flame torches from the arena walls! Has that immobilised the engine, of Big Brother? Grim Reaper being flicked up by Killalot and turned over! Well I'm sure that's immobilised! Who's alive?"
— Jonathan Pearce as both competitors are immobile
Big brother vs grim reaper

Big Brother and Grim Reaper both immobilised

Sgt. Bash drove at the front of the immobile Big Brother, spearing the bottom half of his front pincer through the latter's front. As the onscreen countdown clock ticked down, Big Brother could only move its flail back and forth. With both robots having become immobile together, the Judges were required to make a decision. In another outcome stated to be controversial by Craig Charles, they ruled that Big Brother had won.

"Monster metal mayhem at its mightiest! We have a Judges' decision. On damage and aggression, the winner is... Big Brother!"
— Craig Charles announces the winner

Winner: Big Brother

Bumblebot vs Milly-Ann Bug[]

"Oh, woe... but not for little Joe! What do they feed him on, by the way? Big Brother through, and next up, Bumblebot and Milly-Ann Bug."
— Jonathan Pearce
Bumblebot Milly Ann Bug

Bumblebot misses with an early attack of its axe

Milly ann bug vs bumblebot

Milly Ann Bug slams into Bumblebot

The two competitors drove forwards, and Milly-Ann Bug swerved to avoid Bumblebot. As Bumblebot turned, Milly-Ann Bug reversed into its side, so the former turned away. It turned around for another attack, but Milly-Ann Bug drove around to its side. The two competitors circled around together, and Milly-Ann Bug drove against Bumblebot's side. As the green and yellow machine pushed against the domed covers of Bumblebot's wheels, it drove on top of the latter's right tyre.

"Milly-Ann Bug, great steering, ground control, what sort of penetrating power has it got though? What sort of weaponry really, to create damage on Bumblebot?"
— Jonathan Pearce as Milly-Ann Bug drives around and pushes Bumblebot

Whilst Bumblebot fired the axe, Milly-Ann Bug tried to drive over the wheel itself, then reversed off it. Bumblebot turned to drive after Milly-Ann Bug, which drove into Bumblebot's side and pushed past, driving to the upper-most arena wall. Milly-Ann Bug turned around and drove at Bumblebot's front, but could not force it backwards. The former reversed for another charge and drove back at Bumblebot. Due to its two articulating halves, however, Milly-Ann Bug missed its charge, then turned the wrong way, reversing into Bumblebot's side. Milly-Ann Bug drove to the top of the arena and turned around for another charge. It drove around Bumblebot, getting behind one of the wheels and pushing Bumblebot across the arena towards the pit. Bumblebot turned away before it could reach the hazard, as Milly-Ann Bug continued to pressure it while narrowly dodging an arena spike.

"Great movement though, by Milly, who dances across the floor, with speed and agility and grace. That's not bad pushing ability too... or is Bumblebot just leading Milly-Ann Bug on, for a final... smash down of that... mighty blade?"
— Jonathan Pearce as Milly-Ann Bug pushes Bumblebot down the arena
Bumblebotvsmillyanbug

Milly Ann Bug tries pushing Bumblebot towards the pit

Bumblebot turned around to get away from Milly-Ann Bug, and Milly-Ann Bug drove past as it manoeuvred swiftly back across the arena. Bumblebot gave chase, and Milly-Ann Bug drove at Bumblebot's side. The latter tried pushing, but could not get traction, so reversed. The two competitors turned around, and Milly-Ann Bug drove down the arena, then turned around again. Milly-Ann Bug drove up to Bumblebot's right-hand side and pushed, but Bumblebot turned, so Milly-Ann Bug backed out again. As Bumblebot turned around, Milly-Ann Bug again drove into its side, this time from the left.

"You see they're trying, Bumblebot, to get into a position where they can bring the big axe down. And at the moment... I'd say, on aggression, and style, and control... Milly-Ann Bug would go through if this goes to a Judges [decision] and the axe would fall on BUMBLEBOT..."
— Jonathan Pearce
Milly-ann bug vs bumblebot

Milly-Ann Bug drives into the pit by accident

Similarly to before, Milly-Ann Bug struggled to push back Bumblebot, so reversed. On a third attempt, Milly-Ann Bug drove around to Bumblebot's side, and managed to push it across the arena at high speed towards the pit. While pushing its opponent partially over - with Bumblebot's front castors dangling over the chasm - the momentum in Milly-Ann Bug's shove also caused its front dome to cross over the edge as well. The resulting weight distribution caused the whole of Milly-Ann Bug to tumble in, eliminating it after an otherwise strong performance.

"...OH, MILLY-ANN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Oh no! Silly Miss Milly... into the pit! Dear oh dear! Doing all the hard work, pushing Bumblebot around, way on top, and then LOOK! Oh dear, Milly, you've gone! What a shame! They [the team] look gutted. They know what they've done."
— Jonathan Pearce as Milly-Ann Bug falls into the pit

Winner: Bumblebot

Flipper vs Ultor[]

Ultor vs flipper

Ultor slams and axes Flipper

Flipper had the quicker start, but Ultor stopped and swerved away as it closed in. Flipper drove around Ultor as Sgt. Bash fired flames from within the nearby CPZ; before it could attack, Ultor drove past its front end. Ultor tried to line up its axe, but Flipper shuttled back and forth while surviving a close encounter with Sgt. Bash's flamethrower. Flipper clattered into its opponent as it reversed and turned. Although Utlor tried attacking once more, Flipper outmanoeuvred it as it backed into the arena side wall, then drove towards the arena centre. Ultor chased after it, but as it got close, Flipper reversed and turned 180 degrees. Ultor kept chasing, and tentatively nudged Flipper from the side without getting its axe into use. Flipper turned around, and Ultor began nudging it from the right-hand side. Flipper tried to get away, but not before Ultor hit it with the axe, without being able to puncture Flipper's armour.

"I don't think that's caused major damage though, at all."
— Jonathan Pearce
Flipper immobile

Flipper loses mobility

Flipper drove around to Ultor's side, and Ultor turned away to line up another attack. Flipper turned around, and Ultor drove back at Flipper, but missed with the axe. Flipper reversed into Ultor's side, but suddenly stopped moving. Ultor drove up the arena, then turned around for another attack. However, it merely bumped past Flipper and drove onto a spike, which flicked it up and down. Ultor drove off the spike, turned around, and drove at the side of its opponent, pushing against it. As it did so, Ultor drove dangerously close to the pit. Ultor reversed, and Sgt. Bash drove in from the top-left CPZ to push Flipper over the same arena spike.

"Was Flipper immobilised? If it is, then the House Robots can come in here... and certainly, they sense that they can come in for the kill on Flipper!"
— Jonathan Pearce
Flipper vs houserobots

Flipper is assaulted by the House Robots

Ultor Flipper

A victorious Ultor is thrown over by the arena spike

The spike briefly jostled Flipper as Dead Metal, Shunt and Matilda also emerged from their CPZs. Flipper was identified as having become immobilised, with Shunt's axe punching a number of holes through the top of its shell, and Matilda briefly lifting the whole robot with her tusks. While Shunt proceeded to turn Flipper over completely, and Dead Metal cut into the defeated Essex machine, Ultor drove at Matilda and started axing her from the front-left corner. Matilda pushed back, and tried driving away, but Ultor followed her. Matilda spun around, proceeding to whack, spear and lift Ultor a little with her tusks. Ultor was not deterred, and drove back at her, but got flipped completely over by the arena spike in the process.

"OOOOOOOOH, and Ultor is turned up and over! Oh dear, what a daft way to end this! They were in control! Surely the battle is won, because Flipper was immobilised and destroyed by the House Robots, but ignominious end for Ultor!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Ultor is flipped

Despite the spike's intervention, Ultor was still declared the winner as Flipper had been immobilised first.

Winner: Ultor

Round 2[]

Sir Chromalot vs Big Brother[]

Sir chromalot dance

The Sir Chromalot team put on a piece of pre-battle entertainment

Before the battle, Steve Merrill cryptically told Philippa Forrester that the Sir Chromalot team had a 'secret weapon' as part of their tactics against Big Brother. This would segue into a segment where team members Merrill, Steve Smith and David Whitehead entertained the audience, performing a dance and air guitar routine in the arena during pre-battle preparations.

"Let me tell you, the showmen of the Sir Chromalot team have had a special theme tune written for them. This is their secret weapon - deafen your opponents! Oh boys, are you sure? I - I know the Haka, the Maori dance, is to create fear, intimidate opponents. This one will just have them laughing in the aisles! Chrome men - respectable? Businessmen? Are you sure? They've been great fun, though. Absolutely great fun. Magnificent stuff! And I'm sure Big Brother are impressed while that's going on. Oh... apparently not."
— Jonathan Pearce as the Sir Chromalot team perform their pre-battle dance routine
Sir chromalot vs big brother vs shunt

Sir Chromalot rams Big Brother into Shunt's CPZ

Sir Chromalot moved first, driving at Big Brother whilst the latter held back. As the Essex entry reached the arena centre, Big Brother charged across the arena, ramming and forcing Sir Chromalot backwards. Big Brother drove past Sir Chromalot, which reversed, then missed Big Brother as it turned to face it. Sir Chromalot turned around, and Big Brother got its wedge under Sir Chromalot's spike. Big Brother tried pushing, but Sir Chromalot pushed back, then reversed. Big Brother followed, but Sir Chromalot turned away as Big Brother got close. Sir Chromalot turned around, but before it could attack, Big Brother turned around and drove down the arena to avoid Sir Chromalot as it drove towards it with the spike. The flail narrowly missed Sir Chromalot as it turned.

"The morning star, flailing away there. The wrecking ball on the end of the steel whip and chain."
— Jonathan Pearce on Big Brother's weapon

Sir Chromalot turned around and drove at Big Brother's side, but Big Brother drove around Sir Chromalot. Sir Chromalot reversed, and tried driving at Big Brother with the spike, but Big Brother span on the spot, hitting Sir Chromalot as it tried to attack. Big Brother stopped spinning and drove close to Shunt's CPZ, then reversed at Sir Chromalot with its rear spikes. However, this allowed Sir Chromalot to push Big Brother into the CPZ itself, where it took an axe blow from Shunt as it escaped. Big Brother sped around the side of Sir Chromalot as it tried ramming it with the spike, only to encounter Dead Metal as he shuttled back and forth from his CPZ. Sir Chromalot drove after the Brighton machine, but before it got close, turned and drove past the front of Big Brother. Big Brother tried to get under Sir Chromalot again, but was initially unable to do so after driving under its spike. Big Brother reversed and shadowed Sir Chromalot as it turned away and started driving towards the top of the arena.

"Sir Chromalot spinning, not a lot of damage being caused."
— Jonathan Pearce
Sir Chromalot vs Big Brother

Big Brother overturns Sir Chromalot

The two competitors drove right by one of the arena flamethrowers, which spouted multiple fire jets at them. Sir Chromalot pushed against Big Brother's side with its spike, but could not force it into the CPZ, so it reversed, bumping into the top arena wall. A charge at Big Brother proved to be a mistake for Sir Chromalot, as it ended up driving over the edge of Big Brother's wedge after the latter reversed. This allowed Big Brother to drive underneath Sir Chromalot, and, after a push, cause it to turn over its side, leaving Sir Chromalot fully upside down.

"...and Sir Chromalot's up, and rolled OVER! And I don't think they can recover from there."
— Jonathan Pearce as Big Brother turns Sir Chromalot over
Big brother vs housrobots

Big Brother attempts to take on the House Robots

Big Brother Sir Chromalot Dead Metal

Sir Chromalot is pitted by Dead Metal

Big Brother spun in celebration, and the House Robots came out to attack Sir Chromalot, with Shunt axing the baseplate, and Dead Metal cutting into it with his saw. As both House Robots kept attacking its defeated opponent, Big Brother proceeded to take on Sir Killalot, which drove beside and briefly pinned it down with his claw arm. Big Brother turned away, and proceeded to lure and whack Shunt in the arena centre with its morning star. Meanwhile, Dead Metal grabbed Sir Chromalot in his pincers and slowly carried it down to the pit, his saw blade having become stuck in Sir Chromalot's wheel hub.

Attempts to pit Sir Chromalot were initially unsuccessful, as it was left dangling over the edge. Dead Metal pulled back to try and shake Sir Chromalot loose, but only succeeded in dragging it back onto the arena floor. Big Brother rammed the back of and shoved Dead Metal forwards. Not only did this push the House Robot further over the pit edge, but allow Sir Chromalot to touch the tyres within and become separated from the saw. Dead Metal reversed against Big Brother to avoid a pitting himself, setting up another attempt by the Brighton machine to get underneath him. Dead Metal turned around, and Big Brother unsuccessfully tried to breach Shunt's ground clearance instead. Sir Killalot got beside Big Brother and pinned it down again with his claw arm; Big Brother also partially drove over Shunt's plough just as 'Cease' was called.

"Well, well, well! Chromalot get that sinking feeling, and you'll be watching Big Brother in the next round!"
— Craig Charles following the battle's conclusion

Winner: Big Brother

Bumblebot vs Ultor[]

"So it's Bumblebot against Ultor, and they look very similar. Similarly matched, similar kind of weaponry, similar kind of shape."
— Philippa Forrester to the Bumblebot team before the battle
Ultor vs bumblebot

Ultor rams Bumblebot

The two competitors first drove at each other, meeting in the arena centre, where Ultor turned and got at Bumblebot's side. It fired the axe, but merely clipped the side as Ultor turned around. Ultor drove away as Bumblebot turned, then turned and drove back at Bumblebot's other side, driving underneath it. Bumblebot slid off, and Ultor tried to axe Bumblebot, but narrowly missed with its weapon. Bumblebot turned and tried to drive away, but Ultor kept behind it. Bumblebot turned around, and Ultor fired the axe, hitting the top, but again unable to cause any damage. The two robots drove up to the top of the arena, close to Shunt's CPZ, and Ultor pushed against Bumblebot's side to try and force it into the side, but Bumblebot turned and pushed against Ultor's side.

"Very cagey, early on."
— Jonathan Pearce

The two competitors were very close to the edge of the CPZ, and drove away as Shunt came over. They turned around and drove at each other again, with Ultor getting underneath Bumblebot, but Bumblebot slid off before Ultor could take advantage. Bumblebot's axe fell down limply, and would not reset.

"I think that Bumblebot weapon has been absolutely... useless. It's like some... toothpick, to take on the House Robots."
— Jonathan Pearce, commentating on Bumblebot's axe
Bumblebot Ultor Dead Metal

Dead Metal cuts off the axe head of Bumblebot

Ultor drove behind Bumblebot and started pushing, hitting the top with its axe a couple of times. Bumblebot tried to get away, but Ultor kept after it, and although it missed with the axe, it drove around to Bumblebot's front, and started pushing Bumblebot towards Shunt. Bumblebot reversed and tried to turn away from Ultor, but Ultor kept at its side and pushed against it. As Bumblebot turned, its axe hit Dead Metal. Dead Metal pinned the axe down with his pincers and used his saw to cut off the axe head.

"... don't use a toothpick. Go to the dentist, Bumblebot, like the rest of us."
— Jonathan Pearce, moments after Dead Metal cuts off Bumblebot's axe head
Bumblebot Ultor pit

Bumblebot leans into the pit

Whilst Dead Metal held Bumblebot in place, Ultor got behind it and axed it. Dead Metal let go, and Ultor drove around to Bumblebot's side. It tried pushing, but could not get any traction, so reversed. Bumblebot tried to drive away, but was moving very slowly across the arena. Ultor rammed into the side, but still could not push. Bumblebot limped down the arena, and Ultor drove into its rear, pushing it close to the edge of the pit. As Bumblebot feebly tried to turn, Sir Killalot used his jaws of life to push Bumblebot into the pit; however, Bumblebot's axe shaft prevented it from fully going in.

"Well, I don't even know whether it'll ever go down the pit with that thing sticking out of the end of it. Probably steers it away... no! Is that in the pit? I'm not too sure! It's sort of... just leaning in. I don't think they're gonna come out of it, though!"
— Laughter from Jonathan Pearce as Ultor attempts to pit Bumblebot
SirKillalotpullsBumbleBotoutofpit

Sir Killalot pulls Bumblebot out of the pit

Ultor got behind Bumblebot and axed it again, while Sir Killalot attempted to drill through the latter's right-hand side with his lance. The lance could not break through, but was instead used to spear through the weapon shaft, lift and pull Bumblebot out of the pit.

"Oh, come on! Is there a little bit of buzz about the Bumblebot yet? Fly away, fly away, Bumblebot! Live to fight another day - I doubt it!"
— Jonathan Pearce
SirKillalotcutsBumbleBotswheels

Sir Killalot cuts off Bumblebot's front wheels

Sir Killalot flipped and dropped Bumblebot onto its back, after which it was pincered by both Shunt and Ultor. Shunt axed and lifted Bumblebot, causing it to fall deeper into the pit, only for Sir Killalot to then pick up and pull Bumblebot out again with the jaws of life. Sir Killalot started carrying the Reading machine towards the Flame Pit, snapping off one pair of its front castors in the process. Bumblebot fell out of Sir Killalot's grip, landed back upright and tried turning away, only to be pushed over the Flame Pit by Ultor.

"Well, maybe the weapon was some good then. It just kept it out of the pit, ultimately, so Killalot says "Well we'll do something else with you!" [laughs] He's falling apart completely! Oh dear! I shouldn't laugh! It took them a year to build this! Oh, ever had roast beef? Oh, dear oh dear! They might well look away..."
— Jonathan Pearce as Sir Killalot pulls Bumblebot out of the pit and cuts off the front wheels

Winner: Ultor

Heat Final[]

Jonathan Pearce: "Well. Four down to two. Sir Chromalot and Bumblebot have gone, leaving Big Brother against Ultor in the Heat Final."
Craig Charles: "Then there were two, but soon there will be only one. It's the third and final round!"
— Lead-up to the Heat Final

Big Brother vs Ultor[]

Big Brother Ultor

Big Brother is dragged around by Ultor

Big Brother started by charging towards Ultor, which initially turned around so its rear lifter was facing forwards. A change of tactics saw Ultor driving front-first at the side of Big Brother, getting underneath it with its sloped bodyshell. Big Brother quickly reversed off, dodging an axe blow from Ultor. Ultor drove after and caught up with Big Brother, which turned away and tried to push Ultor from the side using its rear spikes. Ultor turned around to Big Brother's side to avoid the spikes, driving up to the top of the arena.

Over the Floor Flipper, Big Brother reversed into and began firing its whipping tail at Ultor, which proved too weak to cause any damage. Big Brother shot forwards, and Ultor drove after it, but the Cambridgeshire machine's axe failed to work. Big Brother fired the steel whip at Ultor once more, before the latter turned around to drive away. As this happened, Big Brother's steel whip and wrecking ball became caught on Ultor's axe head. Ultor dragged Big Brother around, regularly tipping it backwards and lifting its wheels completely off the floor. Eventually, it was forced to stop, reversing to let Big Brother go.

"There, Big Brother, flailing in with the morning star! Caught though, on the spike of Ultor, who could drag here, Big Brother, towards oblivion, if they play it right! No, they let Big Brother get away... and could rue that now!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Ultor pulls Big Brother around
Big Brother Ultor 1

Big Brother's 'morning star' falls off

Big Brother drove forwards, and Ultor turned around and drove into the back of it. Big Brother fired the steel whip, but the morning star mace again did no damage. Instead, it reversed against Ultor, again pushing it using the rear spikes. Ultor turned around to get away, then drove at the back of Big Brother, trying to breach its ground clearance. However, Big Brother reversed against Ultor, forcing it back past Sgt. Bash's CPZ and across the arena centre, while striking Ultor with the mace. As it forced its opponent across the right-most perimeter and towards Shunt's CPZ, the tip of Big Brother's whipping tail fell off.

"Ooh, and it's gone! The whip's come off! Look at this! Now, Big Brother in real trouble... ooh! Off comes the flail! And now they have no weapon!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Big Brother's mace breaks off
AxingBB

Ultor axes Big Brother

Ultor, turning round, briefly drove under the front of Big Brother as the two competitors separated. Ultor drove after Big Brother as it reversed a little, bumping into and trying to push from its side. Ultor followed and got behind Big Brother, but Big Brother turned, trying to push back from the side. There, a moment's hesitation from Big Brother allowed Ultor to turn and hit its front with the axe. Big Brother turned away, and Ultor turned around for another attack. Big Brother took advantage by getting under the front of Ultor and pushing it using its wedge shape. A collision with the Floor Flipper forced Ultor up into the air, almost turning it over and leaving it propped on the side of Big Brother. Big Brother drove forwards, letting Ultor fall back down to its wheels.

"And the main chance for Big Brother is to get Ultor perhaps onto the big flipper there, you can see on the arena floor. Or... into the House Robots. As long as Ultor stays out of trouble here, they could have won this one, and it would be a surprise! And poor little Joe, could be left in tears..."
— Jonathan Pearce as Big Brother gets under Ultor and pushes, but Ultor slips off
Big Brother vs Ultor

Big Brother gets underneath Ultor

Ultor drove into the arena centre and turned around to barge its way past a more calculating Big Brother. The green and white machine drove up to the top of the arena, as the two competitors proceeded to drive around each other. Big Brother turned back at Ultor, which drove forwards to avoid it, then reversed, turning away from Big Brother. Ultor drove at Big Brother's side and pushed, quickly catching up to it as it turned and drove forwards. Big Brother reversed, briefly driving under the side of Ultor in the next one-on-one exchange. Ultor drove around to Big Brother's side to line up an axe attack, but narrowly missed. A second axe swing clipped the right wheelguard of Big Brother while Ultor got underneath it once again.

Bumping Big Brother aside, Ultor accidentally drove close to Shunt's CPZ, where it was jostled around by the nearby arena spike. Big Brother drove up to the top of the arena in the meantime, while Ultor managed to reverse, turn and get itself away from the spike while it was down. Ultor backed into Shunt's CPZ, narrowly avoiding an axe blow, then drove away towards the arena centre. Big Brother drove to the arena centre as well, and Ultor drove at its side, hitting it with the axe. Ultor turned and drove away; Big Brother drove after, got underneath and pushed Ultor towards the arena side wall in the closing seconds. At the last moment, Big Brother turned, causing Ultor to slide off and back away as 'Cease' was called. The battle went to the Judges, who awarded the battle to Ultor.

"Ultor wins on a Judges' decision! You can't get closer than that!"
— Craig Charles announces the decision

Winner: Ultor

Aftermath[]

After the Heat Final result was announced, Philippa Forrester briefly interviewed Joe Watts, himself dejected over Big Brother's loss. However, after the credits had rolled, the Ultor team told Team Big Brother in The Pits that they felt that the Judges' decision was wrong. As such, they successfully overturned the decision and allowed Big Brother to take their Semi-Final place, to Joe's delight.

Heat Winner: Big Brother

"Forget about bull-fighting, and those brave matadors, cos we always see red, on Robot Wars!"
— Craig Charles signs off

Special Event[]

Crusader Pinball

Crusader hits the 50-point target

The Special Event segment of Heat D - shown between the first and second rounds - consisted of the second Pinball Competition run, featuring Crusader.

Crusader attacked a barrel stack, the 50-point target and the multiball release to score 90 points, crushing one of the multiballs against Sgt. Bash in the process. However, the yellow and black machine's run was cut short after it accidentally drove into one of the open pits.

Score: 90 points

Trivia[]

ParthianS3

"Flipper" in The Pits; note the team members and partially-completed base of The Parthian Shot

  • The Parthian Shot was supposed to compete in this Heat, and was originally drawn against Ultor. However, it was forced to withdraw before the battle, so Flipper was drawn in as a substitute. The Parthian Shot, minus top armour and undergoing repair, was actually shown in Philippa Forrester's introductory walk through The Pits, and even mentioned as her sweepstake robot for the series. However, it was not addressed by name onscreen, nor was its withdrawal mentioned at all in the episode; the accompanying caption was instead the one intended for Flipper.
  • Heat D marked the first instance of a robot's team overturning a Judges' decision, with Ultor doing so in the Heat Final.
    • In actuality, Ultor withdrew from the competition, as work commitments prevented its team from attending filming for the Semi-Finals.[1]
  • This episode marked Ultor's only ever appearance, making it one of only two competitors to compete in the UK Championship and never lose a battle, the other being Scar.
    • Scar withdrew after the Eliminator (Round 1) stage, making Ultor the only robot to win multiple battles without losing any, but never return.
  • Heat D was comprised entirely of robots new to the combat stages of the main competition - Bumblebot had previously only appeared in the Series 2 Reserve Rumble, and Milly-Ann Bug had been eliminated before the Arena stage in the same series.
    • This Heat also featured more newcomers to the main competition than any other in the show's history, including the reboot, at seven.
  • This Heat saw the debut of several notable teams: future Grand Finalists Team Big Brother, future Semi-Finalists The Grim Reaper, and popular entertainers The Hub Nuts.
  • This episode was shown on the last day of the Millennium.
  • The "Sir Chromalot tradition" was established in this Heat, with the Hub Nuts machine being defeated by Big Brother in Round 2.
  • Sir Killalot nearly achieved the first Out of the Arena attack in the televised UK Series, when he spun Shell Shock around on his lance.

References[]

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