Superstars is back!

Keegan grimaces after his fall Superstars format explained

All-star antics are assured when Superstars returns to BBC One after an 18-year absence.

The much-loved show, which pits boxers against athletes and footballers against snooker players, is back at 2000 BST on 16 October (2100 BST on 15 October in Scotland).

And Superstars 2003 is bigger and better than ever, with an elite cast of 44 male and female athletes doing battle over six weeks in La Manga, Spain.

For those who remember Kevin Keegan spectacularly falling off his bike in the old series, the cult programme will need no introduction.

But for the younger viewers, rest assured that six action-packed weeks of sporting fun lie ahead as athletes compete in various events, including kayaking, golf and the 100m sprint.

Football hardman Stuart "Psycho" Pearce helps kick things off in men's heat one when he takes on, among others, athletics legends Colin Jackson and John Regis.

Full Superstars schedule

And the Underwood brothers, Dennis Wise, Ricky Hatton and many more budding Superstars are waiting in the wings for their chance to dazzle in following weeks.

Only two men from each of four heats will get the chance to compete for the grand title on 20 November.

There will also be a superb women's special on 13 November, featuring the likes of sprinter Katherine Merry, long-distance runner Liz McColgan and tennis veteran Annabel Croft.