Robbie Savage even brought controversy to Robot Wars celebrity special

AS a footballer, Robbie Savage was rarely far from controversy.

Now Dara O’Briain has revealed how Robbie’s competitive edge even caused a stooshie on the set of Robot Wars

There are two Celebrity Christmas specials and former Welsh international – and Strictly star – Robbie, wasn’t just along for the ride.

“Let’s just say Robbie didn’t leave it on the pitch,” said Dara, speaking to iN10 from the set in Renfrew.

“Emotions spilled over and discussions continued.”

Dara and co-presenter Angela Scanlon chortle as they recall Robbie turning on his own team and “taunting children.”

The hyped-up fun can be seen in two hour-long shows, on December 28 and 29.

Coast presenter Neil Oliver, Olympic heroes Jonathan and Alastair Brownlee, TV presenter Suzi Perry and Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills are among the stars taking part.

“Robot Wars is a wonderful family show and something my kids really enjoyed watching this year,” said Neil.

“When I asked my two sons if they wanted to come on the show with me, they leapt at the chance.”

After a lengthy 12-year absence from screens, it returned to BBC 2 this summer. It was warmly welcomed back, with more viewers tuning in to its opening episode than watched the end of the much-trumpeted Top Gear.

Dara admits that while he didn’t really understand the whole Robot Wars world before he was asked to take on presenting duties, he soon got caught up in it all.

“You can’t help but get involved,” he says. “There’s the fun of meeting the people who have come up with these robots.

“They all really help each other in terms of the repairs to the robots.

“And then there’s the sheer violence of the battles. There are shards of metal pinging off the glass in front of you in the arena.

“We get brilliant seats, we’re right on top of it, and it’s such a fun thing to see.”