Richard Osman quits Pointless after nearly 13 years to focus on writing

Richard Osman is to step down from his role on BBC quiz show Pointless after nearly 13 years.

The 51-year-old, who also created the show, has appeared as co-host and ‘Pointless friend’ to Alexander Armstrong since the show first aired in 2009.

He’ll be replaced by a roster of guest presenters for upcoming episodes, which will be broadcast later this year.

Osman, who will continue to host future series of Pointless Celebrities, said: “Pointless has been a joy from start to finish, working alongside my friend Alexander Armstrong, backed by the most wonderful team, and for the best viewers in the world.

“I will miss everyone so much, but I’m thrilled that I’ll still be presenting the celebrity shows. I can’t thank everyone enough for 12 amazing years.”

© PA

Osman made the decision to quit to focus on his writing, with his novels The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice best-sellers.

He will continue to present his other hit show, House of Games.

Armstrong said: “Daytime television’s loss is international best-selling crime fiction’s gain. I say that like it’s a consolation – I’m going to miss the big man next to me Monday to Friday. But at least I still get him at weekends – and weekdays if you’re watching on Challenge.”

Will miss the whole team, especially the incomparable @XanderArmstrong. Thank you to everyone who watches, it really has been a dream, and I know the show will continue to go from strength to strength.

— Richard Osman (@richardosman) April 8, 2022

Series 26 of Pointless, which broadcast in January, had a peak audience of 2.8m viewers, and is BBC One’s No.1 highest rating daytime quiz and game show in 2021 and 2022.

Osman was not originally intended to be Armstrong’s co-presenter but after filling the role as part of a demonstration laid on for the BBC, executives asked him to continue for the first series.

He has filmed more than 1,300 episodes and nearly 30 series.

Osman’s debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, was published in September 2020 and became a bestseller.

Its global film rights were later bought by Steven Spielberg’s production company Amblin Entertainment.

A sequel, The Man Who Died Twice, arrived in September.