Anne Robinson turned down 'The Weakest Link' return

Anne Robinson has revealed she twice turned down a return to The Weakest Link.

The journalist hosted the quiz show from 2000 to 2012 and was known for her sharp tongue, with the programme becoming a big hit.

But it seems the 77-year-old didn’t fancy a return because the character she had created would have had to have changed amid the current climate.

Read more: The Weakest Link quiz: Test your knowledge with questions from the show

According to the Mail, the BBC offered Robinson her old job back twice but she declined.

“Wokeness has taken the heart out of comedy,” she said.

“Times have really changed. I wouldn't want to be a cheesy game-show host, and that is what the BBC wanted. Where's the fun if you can't ask, 'What do you do when you're not eating?' or 'Have you had that hair cut for a bet?'”

“No one saw anything wrong with it, but you couldn't say it today,” she added.

The Weakest Link was revived last year, with comedian Romesh Ranganathan at the helm.

Meanwhile, Robinson has been busy on Countdown after taking over from Nick Hewer.

However, earlier this week she announced she was stepping down after recording 265 episodes.

“I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful show,” she said in a statement.

“And I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins. I hope too I’ve encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks.

“In fact the genius of Countdown is that it’s a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week.

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“And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.

“But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention.”

Watch: Anne Robinson 'delighted' The Weakest Link is returning on TV