WAS shocked to read of Anne Robinson's ignorant outburst at Mr Bessant when she called him "the most stupid person I have ever met" before the beginning of The Weakest Link (January 17). But then, of course, we all know that Miss Robinson is a very unpleasant rude woman. Or do we?

Last week I was also a contestant on the show and my perception was different to that of Mr Bessant. Before recording, Miss Robinson (pictured) was not rude to anyone. Nor was she polite to anyone. She was just not there. We all took our places on the stage and Anne then appeared.

In a quiz like The Weakest Link the presenter obviously cannot mingle with the contestants beforehand. If she did then one of those rejected would be bound to say "It was unfair. Anne took a dislike to me and influenced the rest of the team". Or, "She got on well with so and so and went easy on them." Staying aloof means that Anne was impartial; rude to everybody.

I would suggest that, like me, Mr Bessant was nervous and somewhat bemused and that the insult was hurled at a later stage in the show. Either that, or he exited at an early stage and is suggesting that he did badly because he was traumatised.

S Jones,

Field Avenue,

Thorpe Willoughby,

Selby.

Updated: 11:28 Saturday, January 20, 2001