Anne Robinson has confirmed she is leaving ‘Watchdog’ after 15 years of presenting the consumer show.
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The 70-year-old presenter won’t be going far though, as she’s set to front a brand new BBC series.
Speaking about her departure from ‘Watchdog’, Anne said it had been an ‘honour’ to be involved with the show.
The 'Watchdog' presenting team
"It's been an honour to be part of the most important consumer show in Britain,” she said.
As well as fronting a major new factual programme for the Beeb, Anne is also set to present a new series of ‘Britain’s Spending Secrets’.
Almost 6 million of us tuned in to the first series, making it the most watched new factual programme on TV this year.
Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, says: "Annie is a much-treasured part of the BBC One family and I’m grateful for everything she has done on Watchdog for nearly 15 years.
“I’m looking forward to her returning to the channel with a new factual series next year."
Anne’s new presenting jobs at the BBC follows her remarks that women on TV of a certain age are at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts.
Last month the presenter reignited the TV ageism debate by suggesting female presenters are given the boot much earlier than men.
Anne Robinson
She told Radio Times: “If Huw Edwards or Evan Davis had identical twin sisters they wouldn’t be reading the news or presenting Newsnight.
“I’m not saying they’re both ugly. It’s just a fact, particularly in light entertainment, that it’s all about pretty girls in the front row.
“But I’ve just never worked within those confines. I never got hired because I had beautiful breasts. I got hired because I could write and I could be funny.”
Asked how she had manage to remain on screen at the age of 70, she added: “I’ve always been clever at moving on. I’ve never been dragged out kicking and screaming.
“The trick for women’s longevity on television is that you’ve got to be clever, versatile, funny and thin. I’m working at it!”
Meanwhile, ‘Watchdog’ will return this autumn with a new presenting line up joining co-hosts Matt Allwright and Chris Hollins on the show.
