Anne Robinson admits some Countdown fans won’t warm to her… as The Weakest Link makes a comeback without her despite her insistence it ‘couldn’t be made’ today

Anne Robinson has insisted she’s aware fans of Countdown won’t warm to her taking over as host of the show.

Nick Hewer retired from the post on Friday, after 10 years as the series’ presenter, with Anne’s first show airing on Monday afternoon on Channel 4.

The presenter, 76, is taking on the role as it was announced her former show, The Weakest Link is coming back with Romesh Ranganathan as the host – despite Anne’s insistence just weeks ago that the show couldn’t possibly come back. 

‘There will be Countdown viewers who are horrified that I’m there ruining their programme!’ Anne Robinson has insisted she’s aware fans of Countdown won’t warm to her taking over as host of the show

Speaking to The Sun, Anne said: ‘I am self-aware enough to know there will be Countdown viewers who are horrified that I’m there ruining their programme.

‘I genuinely am really excited, though, and it’s wonderful to have purpose again.’

It was also revealed that show bosses have provided her with an £8,000 wardrobe allowance.

‘I would be shopping in Primark if I relied on that budget,’ she joked.

Anne admitted on Monday’s episode of Lorraine that ‘has no high street’ in her closet, revealing that she was wearing a Victoria Beckham dress for the interview.

Designer taste: Anne admitted on Monday’s episode of Lorraine that ‘has no high street’ in her closet

Kisses, VB: Anne was wearing a Victoria Beckham dress for the interview on Monday morning

Exit: Nick Hewer retired from the post on Friday, after 10 years as the series’ presenter, with Anne’s first show airing on Monday afternoon on Channel 4

‘I’ve just discovered her!’ Anne said, admiring the dress.

Anne also insisted she is ‘delighted’ to hear that her old show, The Weakest Link, is returning to TV, despite claiming she doesn’t think it would be made today. 

She fronted the BBC game show for all 13 series from 2000 to 2011, and thinks it’s ‘great’ that the programme is making a comeback for a 12-episode series with new presenter Romesh Ranganathan.

She said: ‘I only learnt about it at the weekend, which is great. I’m delighted. It will be a very different Weakest Link, because I honestly couldn’t get away with saying now what I used to say.’

Petty cash: It was also revealed that show bosses have provided her with an £8,000 wardrobe allowance

Anne joked: ‘I would be shopping in Primark if I relied on that budget!’

Of moving on to Countdown, Anne went on: ‘They asked me and I didn’t even take 30 seconds to say, “Yeah, that’s great, that’s exactly what I want to do.” First of all, I’m sitting down. All those years I had to stand up.

‘It’s cerebral, it’s very authentic. It hasn’t changed over the years to make it up-to-date.’ 

The Weakest Link will return later in 2021 as a Saturday night show with one main twist – instead of members of the public competing, celebrities will be playing to earn money for charities of their choice. 

Anne’s catchphrase ‘You are the weakest link…. goodbye’ will still be part of the show.

Presenter: Romesh Ranganathan to step into Anne’s shoes as host of the Weakest Link with the iconic quiz show set to return later this year (pictured 2019)

Earlier this month, Anne discussed her ‘queen of mean’ nickname, stating she wouldn’t be allowed to say such things now. 

Speaking to The Daily Mail’s Jan Moir, she said: ‘All those things you used to say on The Weakest Link. “Whose mind is too small to be let out on its own? There is no end to what you don’t know, is there? You are the Weakest Link, goodbye.” That persona. 

‘I wasn’t exactly drowning kittens But I would never get away with all that now. Times have changed so much that I don’t think we could even make The Weakest Link today.’

Original host: The show, which was originally hosted by Anne, came to an end back in 2011 – though a special Children in Need episode was broadcast in 2017

The revamped show will begin to be shot in Glasgow, with 12 episodes initially planned for broadcast in the latter half of the year. 

Speaking about his new role as presenter of The Weakest Link, Romesh said: ‘It’s an honour to be asked to bring back what is basically a TV institution to our screens.

‘Anne was an amazing host and to step into her shoes is an anxiety-inducing privilege. I’m hoping we’ve found a way to make both the fans of the show happy as well as bringing a new audience to it. If not, accept this as my apology.’

MailOnline has approached the BBC for comment. 

Girls allowed! Catch Anne on Countdown, debuting Monday afternoon on Channel 4

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