Richard Osman quits Pointless after 13 years

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 08 April 2022

Richard Osman confirms his exit from Pointless after 13 years, although he will continue as co-host of the celebrity edition.

Richard Osman is stepping down as co-host of Pointless after 13 years in order to focus on his burgeoning literary career.

The 51-year-old - also a co-creator of the much-loved daytime quiz show - has appeared as sidekick for Alexander Armstrong for all 26 series to date, a run stretching to more than 1,300 episodes.

When the new series begins filming next month, however, Armstrong will instead be joined by a series of guest co-hosts to provide the answers - in a similar vein to Countdown's Dictionary Corner.

Osman has left the show to spend more time working on his incredibly popular Thursday Murder Club series of novels, although he will still appear on the celebrity spinoff for the foreseeable future.

"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," Osman said in a statement.

"I will miss everyone so much, but I'm thrilled that I'll still be presenting the celebrity shows."

Armstrong added: "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."

Osman's debut novel The Thursday Murder Club - released in 2020 - is the third best-selling hardback of all time in the UK, while last year's follow-up The Man Who Died Twice is already up to sixth in the all-time rankings.

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