Robinson to test the UK

Robinson presents the Weakest Link in UK and US

Weakest Link host Anne Robinson is promising to show her nicer side when she hosts a national IQ test on TV.

She is teaming up with Philip Schofield for the BBC One show Test The Nation, which will check viewers' mental dexterity next month.

Robinson, who is famous on both sides of the Atlantic for her acerbic screen persona, said she will showing her real side: "I'll just be being myself, which is warm and gentle."

We can finally find out if weather girls are actually 10 times more intelligent than foreign correspondents

Anne Robinson

Viewers will answer 70 questions during the Saturday night show tackling areas of language, perception, memory, numbers and logic.

In the studio more than 300 guests will be tackling the questions, including 10 celebrities, who have not yet been named.

Also there will be different groups of people from various backgrounds competing, including builders, publicans and twins, as well as blondes and brunettes.

Viewers will be able to take part at home using either a pen and paper, through interactive digital TV, or through the BBC's web site.

Robinson said: "We can finally find out if weather girls are actually 10 times more intelligent than foreign correspondents."

Philip Schofield used to be a children's TV host

She said she had no intention of taking the test herself: "No, I'm in charge. I think it's the nearest thing to the 11-plus, which I'm very proud of having failed."

The test has already been tried in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy.

BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey said today that it opened up the possibility of a Europe-wide challenge to show the brightest nation.

"Having a European league table would be a fun thing, but this is fine for a first step."

The show will be broadcast on 11 May.