Savage Weakest Link contestant leaves Anne Robinson speechless as she 'meets her match'

While hosting the Weakest Link, Anne Robinson didn't pull her punches when it came to cutting contestants down to size.

The TV presenter always had a barbed remark up her sleeve and a quick-fire way of humbling quizzers.

But one man on the US version of the hit game show stopped her in her tracks and left her speechless - not an easy feat by any means.

When Robinson rounded on Howard in an episode that aired back in 2003, she started off with a characteristically brutal line: "Are you more interesting than you look?"

Howard took this in good humour, as he quipped: "It's all in the eye of the beholder, Anne."

Robinson enquired further: "What do you do?"

Howard explained: "I'm a business development manager for a large bank in the north east."

NBC

With a withering look on her face, the television host replied: "Okay... tell me if there's anything interesting about your job."

And with impeccable timing, Howard remarked: "Absolutely not. It's interesting to me, but I'm sure that would probably go right over your head."

Ouch.

Score one to Howard.

And yet, the war of words was not over yet.

Robinson tried to move things back on track, as she enquired why he had chosen fellow contestant Doris to face eviction.

Howard explained: "Doris, when she missed a question, she took up a larger amount of time than necessary."

Seeing an opportunity to get a dig in, Robinson responded: "And you're always very quick, are you Howard?"

Sensing the innuendo at play, Howard said: "In some things, yes, in other things, I like to take my time if you know what I mean."

NBC

As the audience burst into laughter, Robinson maintained her signature blank expression.

"I have absolutely no idea what you mean, what do you mean?" she replied coldly.

And in a masterclass on coming out on top, Howard said: "Somehow I don't doubt that."

The audience and other contestants were left in hysterics, while Robinson stood frozen, never losing composure.

Unable to come up with a comeback, she moved on to the next contestant.

It's not often that Robinson is left speechless, as her signature quips were part of the show's recipe for success.

The US version of the Weakest Link was presented by Robinson from 2001 to 2002, while she hosted the UK version from 2000 to 2012.

Her signature line: "You are the weakest line, goodbye," became an internationally known catchphrase.