Anne Josephine Robinson ( born 26 September 1944 ) is an English television presenter and television game show hostess who is most famous for hosting the BBC game show , The Weakest Link which earned her the nickname `` Queen of Mean '' . She was also one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series , Watchdog , from 1993 to 2001 . She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series , Watchdog , from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009 , and has gained notoriety as the hostess of the BBC television game show The Weakest Link which has earned her the nickname `` Queen of Mean '' .