The countdown is on for Anne Robinson to become the new host of Channel 4 daytime’s game show, Countdown .
But while Anne is “beyond thrilled” to be joining the long-running show, some fans can’t say the same.
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That’s because an old clip of her hosting The Weakest Link resurfaced, casting Robinson in a not-so-flattering light.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Anne Robinson would become the new host of *Countdown*.
This is the long-running Channel 4 daytime game show involving numbers and words.
By becoming the new host, Robinson is making history as the show’s first female host in its 39-year history.
She is replacing Nick Hewer who has hosted the BBC show for over a decade.
He announced his departure back in 2020.
“I am beyond thrilled to be joining Countdown,” Robinson said in a statement. “The show is almost as old as I am and just as historic.
“I am particularly excited to be working alongside the show’s two other formidable women.”
This is in reference to Susie Dent and Rachel Riley.
“Worryingly, Susie and Rachel are not only very smart but younger, prettier and thinner than me. Sadly, there’s no time for another facelift so I’ll have make do with this old one.”
Her statement was a teaser of her acerbic humor, which she was known for while hosting *The Weakest Link*.
Robinson served as host of the popular show from 2000 to 2012.
During this time, she also became known for her famous put-downs, including her catchphrase, “You are the weakest link, goodbye.” She would say this to contestants as they were voted off after each round.
But it’s precisely this “humor” that has *Countdown* viewers unhappy with Anne becoming the new host.
This is especially the case after an old clip resurfaced, casting Anne in a not-so-good light.
In the clip, which has been viewed more than two million times, Anne is speaking to a contestant named Ann.
“So what do you do, Ann?” Anne asks the contestant.
“I’m a full-time single mum to three boys,” Ann replies.
This prompts the host to ask, “So how many Asbos [anti-social behaviour orders]?” before adding: “How many of your three boys have got tags on their ankles?”
“Well, none so far,” Anne replies. This leads to another rather intrusive question from Anne: “You doing benefits, are you?”
“I knew, I was waiting for this,” says the contestant, who admits that she is on benefits. In another moment, Robinson asks: “What happened to the husband? You didn’t go gay, did you?”
Given the subject matter in the clip, fans have been extremely unhappy with what they saw.
“Beyond disgusting and nasty, cant believe this was even allowed,” wrote one user on Twitter. “She should be sacked immediately,” added another.
Robinson was also accused of having “such contempt for working class people.”
Fans have expressed outrage over the clip containing “hate speech.”
“I don’t know what this programme is, nor which channel, but I would like the chance to write to whoever to complain,” wrote this user.
“Bad taste doesn’t begin to cover it. It’s vindictive and reinforces stereotypes. As far as I’m concerned it contains ‘hate’ speech. Disgusting,” they continued.
While it’s been pointed out that Anne’s exchange with the contestant was likely scripted, many believe that it still wasn’t right.
This user wrote that it “normalized bullying.”
Anne did have some defenders in her corner, though, with people chalking up the video to her being the ” Queen of Mean .”
You can watch the resurfaced clip below.
While Anne has yet to comment on the resurfaced clip, she did tell host Steph McGovern of Steph’s Packed Lunch that she is planning to “tone down” the “nastiness” on Countdown .
“The catchphrase just came about on the pilot when I got really cheesed off with a contestant and I added the goodbye,” she explained.
