Anne Robinson Says She'd 'Never Get Away' With The Weakest Link Putdowns Today

Anne Robinson has said she doesn't think The Weakest Link would get made today as 'everyone would be too worried about the poor contestants' mental health'.

The 76-year-old quizmaster was known for her brutal put-downs, which were as integral to the show as the questions, but Robinson admits that in today's world it's unlikely she'd get away with saying some of the things she said.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Robinson, who is set to start presenting Countdown later this month, said: "I wasn't exactly drowning kittens. But I would never get away with all that now. Times have changed so much that I don't think we could even make the The Weakest Link today.

"I don't think half the things I said then I could say now.

"Like: 'Are you really that stupid?' Or: 'Why are you so fat?' That would be off limits. Everyone would be too worried about the poor contestants' mental health.

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"Everyone would be too worried about sending them home with issues."

And she's not wrong about times changing. Earlier this year, Robinson was branded a 'disgrace' after a clip from the show resurfaced online.

In the clip the TV host berated a single mum, asking her how many of her sons had ASBOs (antisocial behaviour orders) and 'tags around their ankles' before asking if she was benefits.

She then asked 'what happened to the husband?' to which the contestant revealed she was twice divorced prompting Robinson to, somewhat bizarrely, ask: "You didn't go gay, did you?"

Social media users were quick to condemn the clip, with one writing: "Utterly disgraceful. Such contempt for working class people."

Another wrote: "Absolutely disgusting. I don't even know where to start. From the classism to the homophobia."

BBC

A third commented: "I appreciate that this was scripted. It's nasty, degrading and abhorrent. The lady may have known what questions were about to be asked.

"However it pushes a very disturbing narrative, that has been fed insidiously to us. Whether we're conscious of it or it or not."

The Weakest Link first hit our screens in 2000 and ran until 2012. It spawned variations around the world, including a US version that Robinson also fronted.

Topics: TV and Film, UK Entertainment

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19