She was among the presenters on the long-running British show “Watchdog” from 1993 to 2001, before returning in 2009. Robinson started appearing on BBC television in 1982, initially as an occasional panellist on Question Time. From 1986, she started sitting in for regular presenter Barry Took on television viewers show Points of View, taking over forever in 1988 for 11 years. In 1993, she took on the presentation and composing of consumer affairs television programme Watchdog. Robinson is best known in the UK for hosting the British variant of The Weakest Link. Likewise, in the United States she’s famous for hosting the NBC primetime version of Weakest Link. She initially began with an frigid, cryptic look and persona, staying indifferent to humorous and friendly seconds throughout; yet, that’s toned down much over time, with her frequently smiling and on occasion laughing, particularly on the star episodes. Her use of abuses and caustic remarks in addition to private questions presented to contestants are becoming notorious on The Weakest Link. Her duplicated frank utterance, “you’re the weakest link — good-bye!” became a catchphrase shortly following the show began in 2000. In 2005, she made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, declaring she was an unfit mother. Robinson hosted the BBC’s outtakes programme Outtake TV until 2009. She now hosts a satirical news-based chat show on BBC One phoned What Is the Issue? With Anne Robinson, as well as the BBC’s interactive quiz, Test the Nation. In 2006, Robinson was rated number 46 in the ITV survey of TV’s 50 Greatest Stars. She was likewise voted the second most terrifying star on television in a 2006 Radio Times survey of 3,000 individuals, behind Gordon Ramsay.
John Penrose (m. 1980–2007), Charles Wilson (m. 1968–1973)
Children
Emma Wilson
Parents
Anne Josephine Robinson Wilson
Siblings
Peter Robinson
Nicknames
Anne Josephine Robinson , The Queen of Mean
Nominations
British Academy Television Award for Best Single Drama, British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Serial
Movies
The Glass Wall, The War of the Worlds, Dragnet, Gun Brothers, Gun Duel in Durango, Damn Citizen, Imitation of Life, Attack from Mars, War of the Worlds, The Robot of Regalio
TV Shows
Weakest Link, The Weakest Link, Watchdog, Points of View, Test the Nation, Outtake TV, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (UK)
Star Sign
Libra
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Trademark
1
Her humorously mean comments
2
Often wears black trenchcoats
3
Always signs off at the end of her television shows with a wink to the camera
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Quote
1
[trying to get the Welsh put into Room 101] And what are they for?
2
[to a Weakest Link contestant] Why are you dressed like a lesbian?
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You are the weakest link. Goodbye.
4
I knew I'd conquered America when Mike Tyson told me I was one mean lady.
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Sad old blokes, I'm told, now dream of me with a whip in hand.
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Fact
1
Lampooned by comedy duo Mitchell and Webb.
2
She was criticised by Outrage!, the gay rights organisation, after comments she made describing a contestant's "gay" T-shirt, which were cut by the BBC from their broadcast of the finished Weakest Link episode. She was also criticised for "homophobic stereotyping" after asking another contestant why she was dressed like a lesbian.
3
Investigated by British police for alleged incitement to racial hatred, following comments she made about the Welsh in Room 101: Episode #6.9 (2001).
Named one of People magazine's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001".
6
Was a reporter for the Liverpool Daily Post newspaper before moving on to the London Daily Mirror and later the Daily Mail in the 1970s.
7
Made her peace with the Welsh by fronting an advertising campaign for the Welsh Tourism Board. The ads highlighted the fact that Wales's major tourist locations were open despite the foot-and-mouth crisis in the United Kingdom. [April 2001]