Anne Robinson has been branded a "bully" and called "homophobic" after a Weakest Link clip resurfaced on social media.
The 76-year-old broadcaster has been announced as the new presenter of Countdown.
She says she will tone down the "mean" – but some say she went too far on the BBC quiz show in years gone by.
Cutting Anne hosted the show from 2000 to 2012 and was famed for her harsh put-downs and quick wit.
One clip has come to light on Twitter this week – and it has not aged well at all.
She is seen mocking a single mum, asking her if any of her sons had ASBOs and ankle tags.
Anne then demanded to know if the woman – herself also named Ann – was claiming benefits.
"So what do you do, Ann?" she asked.
The contestant said: "I'm a full-time single mum to three boys."
To which the star replied: "Three great boys, yeah. So how many ASBOs?"
After not getting a reply, she went in again.
"How many of your three boys have got tags on their ankles?" the veteran probed.
Then she brazenly demanded to know if she was claiming financial support.
The guest responded: "I was waiting for this. I'm doing a 24/7 job, really… I am on benefits, yes."
Later, Anne asked: "What happened to the husband?" before probing: "You didn't go gay, did you?"
The clip did not go down well with today's audiences and some accused her of bullying.
One wrote: "I honestly cannot believe this was allowed to happen. It's absolutely disgusting."
Another said: "It's spiteful and it's bullying," while a third wrote: "She was always a bully but why are we only just talking about it?"
Criticism for the former Watchdog star didn't stop there.
Another asked: "A bit of homophobia thrown in for good measure, why is she back on TV?"
One other user said: "Absolutely disgusting. I don't even know where to start. From the classism to the homophobia."
Her comments were then called "nasty, degrading and abhorrent" by another angry viewer.
Meanwhile, other people have come forward claiming to have had similar treatment while on The Weakest Link many years ago.
Daily Star Online has approached Anne and her reps for comment.
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