UK NEWS

HAS QUIZ QUEEN ANNE GONE A TOUCH TOO FAR?

QUEEN OF MEAN: Anne Robinson

Monday April 7,2008

By Sarah Westcott

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(3)

TV’S Queen of Mean, Anne Robinson, stunned Weakest Link viewers by asking a contestant to feel her breasts.

The saucy invitation left professional wine taster Olly Smith red-faced in front of the cameras – but he seized the opportunity with both hands.

Last night the BBC was looking into 16 complaints from viewers who felt the normally frosty quiz show host had gone too far.

Well-preserved Anne’s flirtatious invitation to Olly to take a hands-on approach came at the start of the BBC show on Saturday.

It is aired at teatime and is popular with schoolchildren – heightening viewers’ concerns about standards of decency.

The pair’s banter ended with Mr Smith, 33, grabbing both Anne’s breasts and then pronouncing them “absolutely fantastic!”

A BBC source tried to play down the incident, stressing it was a “playful and light-hearted” exchange.

Mr Smith, who presents The Richard and Judy Wine Club on Channel 4, told the audience: “If Anne was a wine, she’d be a smooth, full-bodied, expensive red.”

But Anne, 63, did not take kindly to his comments.

“I don’t like being called full-bodied,” she said. “I have spent a long time getting this figure. Are you saying I have huge breasts?”

As the conversation degenerated into Carry On! territory, Olly told her: “You’re terrifying, in a sexy way!” Then Anne gestured to her cleavage and said: “You need to feel them?”

Olly replied: “I would love to.” He hesitated, then said it would be one of his life’s “greatest regrets” if he did not touch her breasts.

After placing his hands over them, he told her: “They are absolutely fantastic, honestly! Touch my hands. These are amazing! I have touched Anne’s boobs.”

Last night the BBC stressed that the 16 complaints were from a viewing figure of 5.5million.

The show was a special charity edition of The Weakest Link featuring 10 celebrity contestants from the world of food and drink, including Sophie Grigson and TV chefs The Hairy Bikers.

Outspoken Anne once wondered why women always fall for irresponsible, unfaithful men. “They need to learn to like dull men and treat them properly, “ she said. The former Watchdog presenter has also admitted having plastic surgery.

Anne reinvented herself with a facelift, hired a personal trainer, cut out junk food and now reportedly weighs the same as she did 15 years ago.

She is thought to be worth around £50million and has seen The Weakest Link exported to countries around the world. Anne, well known for her caustic sense of humour, earned herself the title of Rudest Woman on Television from TV Times with her catchphrase, “You are the weakest link, goodbye”.

The fiery redhead is now estimated to earn more than £2million a year.

BRITISH BRAINWASHING CORPORATION

07.04.08, 11:34am

What do you expect from an agenda-riddled corporation deliberately dumbing down the population and in this instance using a 'quiz' show where the average contestant probably doesn't know what county he lives in.

• Posted by: StewartCowan • Report Comment

ANNE GONE A TOUCH TOO FAR ?

07.04.08, 11:25am

I agree it is a bit risque letting your breasts be touched on tea time telly. As they didn't go any further then it should be forgotten about but no more caressing of Anne on the Weakest Link.

• Posted by: Nikk_blakk • Report Comment