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People Shocked By Resurfaced Clip Of Anne Robinson On Weakest Link

People Shocked By Resurfaced Clip Of Anne Robinson On Weakest Link

The presenter confronted a contestant about being on benefits

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A clip of Anne Robinson from her days on The Weakest Link has resurfaced, with people on social media left appalled by the presenter's conversation with a contestant.

The 76-year-old - recently announced as the new presented of Countdown - hosted The Weakest Link from 2000 to 2012, and was known for her cutting remarks and harsh demeanour.

But a clip from the show is currently doing the rounds on social media, in which Robinson mocked a single mum, joking that her sons were on ASBOs (antisocial behaviour orders) and that she was probably claiming benefits. Viewers have branded her attitude 'disgraceful'.

In the clip, Robinson is seen addressing the contestant, called Ann, in between rounds - and she doesn't hold back.

"So what do you do, Ann?" asks the host.

Ann says: "I'm a full-time single mum to three boys."

To which Robinson replies: "Three great boys, yeah. So how many ASBOs?"

BBC

Evidently nervous, Ann doesn't appear to hear the question, and asks Robinson to repeat it.

"How many of your three boys have got tags on their ankles?" asks the presenter.

Ann brushes off the barbed query, replying that none of her lads have been in trouble.

Robinson then moves onto Ann's financial state, asking if she's on benefits.

"I knew... I was waiting for this," Ann says. "I'm doing a 24/7 job, really... I am on benefits, yes."

The host then has a poke around in Ann's marital affairs, clearly knowing there's more to the story.

"And what happened to the husband?" she enquires.

"Well, I've had two husbands, to be honest," Ann replies. "I think I wore them both out."

Robinson then asks: "You didn't go gay, did you?"

To which Ann says: No, but sometimes, living with three boys, I have thought there's a lot to be said about going lesbian."

BBC

The clip then cuts off as she starts to expand on what she meant by that.

Now, anyone who has seen the show even once will know that Robinson was always out to have a laugh and a joke with contestants, generally at their expense.

But, for many people, this particular exchange seems to have gone too far.

Commenting on the video, one viewer said: "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."

"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," commented a third.

Let's hope she's lightened up by now - not sure this kind of thing will go down too well on Countdown either.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: BBC, Social Media, UK Entertainment, Twitter, Weird