Anne Robinson

Anne Josephine Robinson (born September 26, 1944 in Merseyside, England) is a British television presenter and TV host who is most famous for hosting the BBC game show The Weakest Link. She also hosted the United States NBC primetime version of the show, which has long since ceased production.

Related Topics:
September 26 - 1944 - Merseyside - England - British - Television - The Weakest Link - United States - NBC

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Robinson is of Irish Catholic descent, and attended a Catholic girls' school in northern England. Her mother, also named Anne Josephine Robinson, was a successful agricultural businesswoman from Southern Ireland.

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Robinson's harsh, "dominatrix" persona and monotone voice became infamous on The Weakest Link. Her repeated utterance, "You are the weakest link -- goodbye!" became a catchphrase in 2001.

Related Topics:
Dominatrix - Monotone - Catchphrase - 2001

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She began her career as a journalist, and at one time worked for the late, controversial magnate, Robert Maxwell (whom she greatly admired) on the staff of the Daily Mirror. She began appearing on BBC television during the 1980s, on programmes such as Points of View and Watchdog. She caused a furor when she appeared on the comedy show Room 101 on 5 March 2001, and made derisive comments about the Welsh. The persona she adopts for the purposes of The Weakest Link is her own invention. Currently, she also hosts the BBC's out-takes programme, Outtake TV, and the BBC's interactive quiz, Test the Nation, with Philip Schofield.

Related Topics:
Robert Maxwell - Daily Mirror - BBC - 1980s - Points of View - Watchdog - Room 101 - 5 March - 2001 - Welsh - Out-takes - Outtake TV - Test the Nation - Philip Schofield

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In 2001 Robinson published her autobiography, Memoirs of an Unfit Mother, in which she describes her former drinking problem.

Related Topics:
2001 - Autobiography - Memoirs of an Unfit Mother - Drinking problem

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She has one child, a daughter, Emma Wilson (from her first marriage which ended in divorce), who is a radio show host and has also hosted a game show in the U.S. on the Nickelodeon network.

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Robinson appeared as "Anne Droid" in a 2005 episode of the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who (episode title: Bad Wolf). In this episode, Robinson played a version of herself as the Weakest Link host, as a robotic who appeared to disintegrate the losers. She also hosted a satirical news-based chat show on BBC One called What's the Problem? with Anne Robinson beginning in 2005.

Related Topics:
2005 - Science fiction - Doctor Who - Bad Wolf - Robotic - BBC One

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