CONTROVERSIAL quiz show host Anne Robinson poked fun at Burnley when a Padiham sales manager took part in The Weakest Link.

The acid-tongued star, who sparked a police investigation when she described the Welsh as "irritating and annoying", had a go at the town in an edition to be shown today.

Rhys Roberts, 21, of Pennine Grove, Padiham, was filmed on Monday at London's Pinewood Studios as he got to the final of the BBC2 quiz, narrowly missing out on the £1690 prize by one question.

Rhys, a sales manager at Burnley call centre www.searchers.com, said: "She was horrible. She remained focused throughout as she is playing a character.

"She was quite ruthless with some people.

"She took the 'Michael' out of my accent and said something along the lines of 'What's there to do in Burnley?' It was extremely nerve-racking on the day. Still to this day I can't remember half the questions I was asked, I was concentrating that much.

"I was shaking with nerves. It really isn't as easy as it looks. She just ripped into me. It's such hard work as you are on the spot."

The Liverpool-born presenter also compared Rhys to a Christmas Tree because of the jewellery he was wearing and made him dance like a sailor after discovering he had played such a role in an amateur dramatics production.

He got to the final and faced four sudden death questions after a tie before being left "absolutely gutted" when his opponent guessed at a question and won -- leaving him to go home with "absolutely nothing".

Rhys added: "I watch it all the time and I thought I fancy a go at that.

"I'm looking forward to seeing it. It was extremely good fun. We got well looked after and everything is well organised. It was an enjoyable day.

"At the end Anne congratulated me and my opponent and we saw a nicer side to her."