A weekly news editor proved he was the unquestionably the Strongest Link when he appeared on the popular BBC1 TV quiz show hosted by the Anne Robinson last week.

Weston Mercury news editor Simon Angear, left, appeared on The Weakest Link on 8 December and beat off stiff competition from a police officer, a student, a gift shop owner and a drag artiste to scoop the prize fund of £2,130.

The Archant South West journalist, who has recently become a father for the first time, admits to being a quiz buff and appeared on a Channel Five show called 100pc some years ago but came last.

However this time he proved to be the strongest link in no less than six rounds in a row, before eventually winning the money thanks to a sudden death question about Lennox Lewis.

Formidable host Anne – herself a former regional press journalist – seemed to take a shine to Simon and after some robust questioning called him both “handsome” and “gorgeous.”

“I did enjoy a bit of banter with Anne,” said Simon. “She does tend to zero in on journalists, and I was the first person to get picked on.

“At one stage she asked if I was ‘the most handsome journalist in Weston-super-Mare.’ Given the choice between being ‘gorgeous Simon’ or ‘ugly Simon,’ I’ll take the gorgeous!

“In truth, though, I think she must need some new glasses.”

As well as the Weakest Link, Simon has also had auditions for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

“I love quizzes and thought I’d chance my arm at winning a bit of cash, so I applied to just about every quiz show that was inviting contestant applications,” he said.

As for the prize money, well it’s gone already.

Said Simon: “The show was filmed in September, and my wife and I were moving house at the time, so the prize money came in really handy.”