Former The Weakest Link host Anne Robinson is known for a savage comment or two – with some leading to celebrity feuds throughout the years.
Her most recent stint on Channel 4’s Countdown also had tongues wagging after rumours surfaced of a feud between her and mathematician Rachel Riley – although the two have denied this.
From former colleagues to famous TV presenters and celebrity contestants, reports have claimed that Anne has made the odd comment or two that has got the blood boiling with her fellow stars.
READ NEXT: Anne Robinson’s Countdown replacement confirmed as Coronation Street icon
On the 22nd anniversary of The Weakest Link’s first broadcast, Daily Star takes a closer look inside Anne Robinson’s reported feuds.
Countdown rumours
(Image: BBC)
Rumours of a rift between Anne Robinson and co-star Rachel Riley escalated last year, though the pair vehemently denied any rows.
Former Weakest Link host Anne, 77, first joined Countdown in the summer after former host Nick Hewer stepped down, but after less than a year in the job, Anne confirmed that she was leaving the role.
Speaking about rumours of a feud while both Anne and Rachel appeared on the show, a source told the Mail On Sunday: “Lots of crew are discussing what is going on. Rachel and Susie don’t care much for Anne and her rather grand ways and things have become pretty uncomfortable.”
(Image: This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 programme publicity purposes in connection with the programme(s).This picture is cleared for editorial purposes, but not for any form of printed advertising or commercial products.Not to be reproduced or redistributed for any other use without the prior written consent of Channel 4 Picture Publicity.(Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way). )
They added that Anne “likes to do things her way”, which Rachel did not go along with, and that this tension had caused the two not to interact much behind the scenes.
It was also reported that Anne Robinson turned Rachel Riley’s microphone off for “being too loud.”
However, Anne has since left the show, with the star reported to be spending more time with her grandchildren in New York.
Eamonn Holmes jibe
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Anne has been known for a strong comment or two, including one claim that she accused TV presenter Eamonn Holmes of “sacrificing fatherhood for fame.”
Eamonn has since spoken about the incident, and said that he confronted Anne at an airport after she made the jibe.
He told RTE One’s The Meaning Of Life: “This is coming from a man who would fly back from London for his kids’ school sports days, who would take the last flight out of Belfast at 10 o’clock at night when he’d tucked them up in bed at 8pm, you know, who just was there for them all the time at every need for them.
(Image: Getty Images)
“And this is the man who went into an airport lounge one Sunday morning, very, very early in Belfast, and there was one other person in that lounge and it was Anne Robinson.
“I walked over to her and I simply said, very coldly and heartfelt meant, ‘if you were a bloke, I would knock your f*****g head off. I just want you to know that’.”
Anne and Eamonn later found themselves sitting next to the plane together, and it is reported that she apologised to the star, with Eamonn forgiving her.
The Weakest Link comments
(Image: BBC)
Anne’s The Weakest Link comments were famously savage – with some leaving viewers in shock and disbelief when the episodes went to air.
Poor contestants were subjected to a barrage of comments, including one mum who was asked “how many ASBOs” her children had, while a beauty therapist was asked by Anne: “You’ve not got round to working on yourself?”
One victim of Anne’s sharp tongue was none other than broadcasting legend Clare Balding, who Anne referred to as “chunky” during the programme.
(Image: WireImage)
Clare spoke about the incident during podcast The Mid Point with Gabby Logan, saying: “Through the course of it, Anne had been very cutting and had talked a bit about when I was an amateur jockey, and why did I give up? I said, ‘Look at me, I got too heavy, right.’
“So then she would constantly use the line of, ‘Who ate too many cookies?”
She added: “Well, Anne used my weight as a stick to beat me with, but if that makes the crusty old cow happy, that’s fine!”
However, the two have since made up, with Clare telling The Times: “[Anne is] fantastic. Very supportive. She wrote me the funniest letter.”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
