THE BBC’S popular quiz show The Weakest Link will make a comeback with award-winning comedian Romesh Ranganathan replacing Anne Robinson as its host.
Ranganathan will present 12 episodes of the celebrity version of the show, each running 45 minutes during prime time on BBC One.
Set for filming in Glasgow, the show will see celebrities answer general knowledge questions to remain in the contest.
“It’s an honour to bring back a TV institution,” Ranganathan said referring to the revival of the show which last aired in November 2017.
"Anne was an amazing host and to step into her shoes is an anxiety-inducing privilege," said the British Sri Lankan, whose show The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, recently won him a Bafta award.
"I'm hoping we've found a way to make both the fans of the show happy as well as bringing a new audience to it."
The Weakest Link is the third major project Ranganathan has been chosen for in recent weeks after the sports-themed panel show A League of Their Own of Sky television and the BBC’s The Misinvestigations Of Romesh Ranganathan.
Kate Phillips, the BBC's director of entertainment, who described Robinson as a “terrific and formidable host” said Ranganathan will bring a unique style of presentation to the quiz show.
"Weakest Link has always been a firm favourite with audiences and Anne Robinson was a terrific and formidable host… I can't wait to see Romesh bring his own unique style of presenting to one of TV's most memorable roles," Philips said.
Robinson, who hosted more than 1,690 editions of the show between 2000 and 2012 and again in 2017, said the selection of Ranganathan was a “clever” move.
"I think it's quite clever to have a guy doing it, a comedian whose approach will be very different to mine.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.