New obstacle show for BBC One

Wipeout features human cannonballs and mud splashes

The BBC has commissioned a new game show based on the US hit Wipeout.

The Saturday night show for BBC One will see competitors chasing big cash prizes through a series of physically demanding and bizarre challenges.

Contestants will travel to the international set for Wipeout in Argentina, the world's largest TV obstacle course.

The new series will start in 2009 and will be produced by Endemol - the company behind Big Brother.

The BBCs Controller for Entertainment Commissioning, Elaine Bedell, said: "This is a funny, challenging and physical game show."

Jay Hunt wants to make BBC One feel more 'relevant'

Wipeout made its world debut this June on ABC in the US where it has become the summer's number one show among viewers aged between 18 and 49.

The show is just one part of BBC One's controller Jay Hunt's plans to revamp the channel.

"I'm prepared to take risks with bold ideas," Hunt told BBC's in-house magazine Ariel.

Hunt said she was determined to build on the success of hits such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Apprentice.

But added, "we have to be vigilant across all our output to make sure that it continues to remain connected with the audience."

She stressed the importance of tackling mainstream areas such as history, science and the arts in a "fresh and engaging" way.

"I'm keen to get as wide a range of ideas as I possibly can across the genres so that we can continue to make the channel feel modern," Hunt added.