Pointless stars Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman mark 1000th episode by swapping roles

Alexander Armstrong (left) and Richard Osman (PA)

ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG and Richard Osman are marking the 1,000th episode of Pointless by swapping roles on the hit gameshow.

In a first for the show, Richard will present from the master podium while Alexander becomes the “Pointless” friend behind the desk, as the keeper of obscure facts and figures.

Airing in the new year on BBC One, the show will feature some previous contestants return to the studio, including the winners of the first ever Pointless jackpot in 2009.

Richard Osman and Alexander Armstrong (Ian West/PA)

But Richard said that having tried it, he wouldn’t want to switch roles again.

“I’m so delighted that the ridiculous rise and rise of Pointless continues and have loved spending 1,000 episodes alongside my TV husband Xander,” he said.

“Swapping roles was a real treat but let’s just say I’m not in a hurry to do it again – Xander’s job is much harder than it looks.”

Alexander said: “I can’t tell you how exciting this is for Richard and me. I imagine it’s probably fairly obvious how much we love making Pointless – but to pass the 1,000th episode mark is a great tribute to a show that so many people work so hard on.”

To mark the occasion, a bigger prize is up for grabs for the landmark episode, with £2,500 in the charity jackpot.