Watchdog

Anne Robinson has left Watchdog to film more factual documentaries for BBC One.

The Guardian Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/sep/10/anne-robinson-to-leave-bbc-watchdog

It seems that she won't be returning at all and that a new host will start for the new series. Chris Hollins and Matt Allwright will be continuing.

I reckon it might be someone like Fiona Phillips or Riz Lateef who have done a lot of reports for Watchdog recently.

Either way I think Annie struggled with live TV and with the show this time round, I didn't enjoy it as much as her original 90's series so I don't think it's a major loss.

Indeed it was only 6 years ago that we were discussing her returning and the demise of The Weakest Link. http://tvforum.uk/tvhome/watchdog-brings-annie-29539/

Where are the BBC getting the '15 years' figure from? If they're counting her original run, then it's 22 years. Her current run has only been 6 years.

Nine years before she "went to the States"; six when she came back.


I worked as the news researcher on a series of Watchdog two years ago. People always ask what Anne Robinson was like, and I have to disappoint them and tell them that we only ever had one proper conversation, but that - as evidenced by the fact the entire team referred to her off-air as "Annie" - she seemed lovely.

Indeed, that conversation happened literally as the photo below was taken on the night of series wrap in June of 2013. Being a wheelchair user, I couldn't make it onto the podiums where the other staff would sit during live transmissions, so I used to sit in the production office. As we were getting ready for the photo, Annie shook my hand and asked me what I did on the show. I told her and explained why she only ever saw me fleetingly off-set.

While we both knew it was no-one's fault (my bosses were thoroughly lovely people), she said that if I came back for another series, she would make sure the set was modified in order to accommodate me. It was a kind gesture and one that reflected what a pleasant time I had working on the show.

Always thought it was better with Annie then Nicky Campbell "2 l's "

Thanks. That makes it seem as though she just took a break when she left the first time, but I understand why they used it.

The 60 Seconds report on BBC 3 said 20 years. No-one seems to have the proper figure?

As I said, it's 15, but she started 22 years ago.

Sophie is nowhere to be seen tonight and no explanation has been given for her absence.

Merely ill or has she been canned a few eps into the series?

Aren't her and Michelle sharing the role?

Ah yes, according to Wikipedia you're right. I didn't realise this. To be honest Michelle was a good sport getting into the halloween dressing up and witch impressions. I couldn't imagine Sophie doing that at all.

Out of the four episodes of the current series, she's only done two. I suspect she'll be back next week but an on-off-on-off rota when everybody else does every week doesn't really inspire confidence.

The show always seems to struggle when there's only three of the team there. In addition it's clearly crying out for Anne Robinson or somebody like her to step in and take charge...

I don't think Sophie is relatable to the type of viewers that the show would attract.

I would have hedged a bet for Fiona Phillips, Sian Williams or maybe even Fern Britton. Someone who could ask the killer questions to the shamed companies and would be sympathising and relating with the housewives of Britain.

I imagine changes will be implemented next series.