HEREFORDSHIRE turns out to be the strongest link for Queen of Mean, Anne Robinson.

Visiting the county to join in 20th anniversary celebrations at her favourite emporium, the stylish 72-year-old, known for an acerbic wit and a taste for Armani suits, revealed how inspiration for a stellar career in journalism and TV came from her first boyfriend, a Herefordshire farmer’s son.

Anne Robinson, who regularly makes a 40-minute drive from her rural retreat in the Cotswolds to shop at Ceci Paolo in Ledbury, has explained how she was introduced to the world of journalism through the Guardian’s prime sports columnist, the late Frank Keating, whose own career was launched as a cub reporter on the Hereford Times, and the couple became engaged.

The red-head known for her harsh dismissal of contestants on TV’s hugely popular The Weakest Link - on both sides of the Atlantic - is regularly welcomed in Ledbury as a “warm and generous” woman. In turn, she praises the “great courage” of Ceci Paolo’s managing director, Patricia Harrison who opened her High Street food and clothing store in 1996.

“The Cotswolds are lovely, but it’s really Sloane Square with grass,” said Anne, whose London home is in Kensington. “Herefordshire is the real deal.”

She continued: “I love where I live because I can get to London easily, but Ledbury has the lovely combination of wonderful shops, without losing its charm.

“Patricia showed great courage in opening Ceci Paolo, something so interesting here in Ledbury, it’s really quite metropolitan in a way,”

Born in Crosby, Anne’s mother was an enterprising trader from southern Ireland who built a Liverpool market stall into a large wholesale business.

The success of the enterprise paid for Anne’s private education, and when she joined the Daily Mail in 1967 she was given a mink coat and a sports car by her mother.

“The reason I am a journalist is because of Frank Keating,” said Anne who initially wanted to be an actress. “He was my first boyfriend and I shall forever be grateful to him.” She attended his funeral in 2013.

“I met him in TV where I was his research assistant on outside broadcasts.” But the relationship was not destined to last. “He was a huge character and lots of fun, but we both wanted to be in charge.”

She described him as a “sexy example of a journalist” in the heady days of the 1960s.

“He wore black corduroy suits and red scarves and wouldn’t come in till 11am.” But the romance ended after a flaming row in a London flat. “He was passionate about cricket, and I’d bought him a cricket bat, but I threw it out of the window on to the Fulham road! That really sealed the parting.”

Unsurprisingly she advocates a “bit of fearlessness” when it comes to job seeking. “You have to take the risk, what’s the worst that can happen?”

The first woman to regularly edit a national newspaper, Anne was the first to pick up on Princess Diana’s eating disorder while assistant editor at the Daily Mirror. “I was editing the paper and saw her arriving at the Royal Albert Hall after the Queen, which was unheard of,” said Anne. She spoke to the paper’s royal correspondent and made other calls. “We splashed on the eating disorder, which the Palace denied,” she said. “I was removed from the editorial rota.” She continued: “I never ceased to be fascinated by Diana.”

For those embarking on a career in journalism, she advises applying for jobs beyond the applicant’s limits.

“Always go for a job you can’t do,” she said. “You have to pretend you have the confidence.”

The tactic was passed on to Anne by her enterprising mother, and clearly worked for both women.