British chat show host ANNE ROBINSON successfully fought skin cancer in 2001.

The Weakest Link presenter, dubbed the Queen Of Mean for her cutting remarks on the show, revealed today (06JUN05) her secret battle against the potentially fatal disease, which happened the same year she brought her hit UK game show to US television.

Robinson admits doctors discovered she was suffering from cancer, just before she was due to have liposuction in Los Angeles.

She explains, "It was a great relief when they cleared it. What really scares me is if I hadn't gone to the doctor in LA no one would have seen it because it wasn't obvious."

Robinson now has a six-inch (15.2 centimetres) scar on her back and faces a check-up every three months.

06/06/2005 14:02