Countdown’s Anne Robinson reveals she turned down bumper pay rise to stay on the C4 show
CHANNEL 4 tried to hold on to Anne Robinson at Countdown by offering her a pay rise.
But- in a bid to placate the tax man - it insisted she must join its staff.
The popular presenter, 77, was originally employed on the show on a freelance basis.
Anne, worth an estimated £50m, told The Sun: "I come from a long line of alcoholic, Irish bandits so to suggest I go PAYE is a bit like asking Philip Green or Richard Branson to join the company payroll.
"I wasn't interested in any offer on that basis. Even if it included financial parity.
"I will, however, miss out on the Channel 4 luncheon vouchers, which is a big regret."
Anne - previously Britain's best paid female presenter as the host of The Weakest Link - announced she was leaving the show earlier this week.
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The acid-tongued broadcaster helped Channel 4 - which is about to be privatised and doesn't want its talent being paid through their own private companies - reach a ten-year ratings high after taking over last year.
She became the first woman to regularly host the Channel 4 letters and numbers show.
Commuting from her Cotswolds home, she recorded 265 episodes in Salford before announcing her decision to quit.
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The former newspaper columnist reportedly shared a frosty relationship with her female co-star Rachel Riley.
Speaking on Radio 4's Woman's Hour Anne confirmed a report in The Sun last November which said relations had become frosty so much, Anne had Rachel's mic muted so she could prep for the recording.
Addressing the talk of a rift, she admitted she is a stickler for time-keeping.
But she added: "Rachel is brilliant at what she does. Channel 4 are incredibly lucky to have her. And there isn't a rift.
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"It was me wanting everyone to be quiet in the studio. I like everyone turning up on time and quiet, quiet, quiet. So we did have to iron that out.
"I think we all came to an agreement that we would have mics off before we went into a record, which gave me time to have a chat with the contestants - that's all - and remind them what their hobbies are."
