Anne Robinson - the sharp tongued broadcaster and former assistant editor for the Daily Mirror - may be about to celebrate her 80th birthday but she doesn't seem to have mellowed with age. Many will remember her as the Queen of Mean which she became known for due to her cruel putdowns on The Weakest Link. She hosted the primetime BBC show for over a decade from 2000 to 2012, but away from the cameras she admits her strive for success has had a toll on her love life.
Born in Crosby in Merseyside, Anne first graced TV screens back in 1982 when she appeared as an occasional panellist on Question Time and presented her 'TV Choice' on Breakfast Time. Before that she worked as a journalist on Fleet St, even working for the Daily Mirror as assistant editor. Her way with words helped her move into broadcasting while her cruel put-downs to members of the public even made her a star in the US where she reportedly earned £1million a year on NBC.
Her career may have gone from strength to strength, but her love life has been much more of a rollercoaster. She's been married and divorced to two journalists over the years with one divorce reportedly leaving her £20million out of pocket. Anne has spoken honestly about how her historic battle with booze and strive for TV success negatively affected her early relationships. But, the broadcaster has managed to turn her life around since going teetotal in 1987.
During her time as a reporter at the Mail, she met Charlie Wilson, who was then her boss. After falling in love, the couple married in 1968 - but Anne was then forced to leave the paper as married couples weren't allowed to work together. In 1970 they had their first daughter, Emma, and Anne began working at The Sunday Times. It didn't work out but she later met John Penrose, a fellow reporter, who she married in 1980.
Sadly they divorced in 2008 and after years enjoying life being single reports started to emerge last year that she had a new love interest. So what does she have to say about her current relationship with Queen Camilla's ex husband Andrew Parker Bowles? At the end of last year, Anne admitted to dating the 85-year-old ex-cavalry officer, telling Saga magazine at the time: “Yes, full stop.”
Now almost a year on, Anne is remaining tight-lipped over whether their romance is still going strong, telling the Daily Mirror: “I won’t comment on any of my private life. You’ve got to ask, and I can tell you to mind your own business.” Anne reportedly met Andrew through a mutual friend, and despite their differing upbringings, quickly hit it off. Andrew Parker Bowles, 84, who used to be in the military, has impressed the TV presenter with his culinary talents, according to a source.