BBC Pointless fans complain minutes into show as host…

BBC Pointless fans complain minutes into show as host Richard Osman is replaced

Former Pointless presenter Richard Osman has wished his replacement hosts good luck after the TV show was hit by criticism from viewers.

In April, the popular presenter announced he was stepping back from the BBC game show after nearly 13 years in the hot seat. The 51-year-old's role has now been taken up by new host, actress Sally Lindsay.

Sally, 49, said she was "so excited" as she joined regular host Alexander Armstrong on the long-running programme on Tuesday as part of an all-star line-up of guest presenters. However, Pointless fans couldn't quite get their heads around the new agenda, reports The Mirror.

Coronation Street actress Sally, as well as Alex Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Stephen Mangan, Konnie Huq and Ed Gamble, have all been confirmed as special guest hosts taking it in turns. Despite criticism from BBC viewers, former host Richard took to Twitter to share his excitement about the new panel as Sally took over the reins on Tuesday.

"So excited about watching this. The first time I've ever been able to watch Pointless and actually play along without knowing the answers already," the former presenter tweeted. "Good luck to the first of the ace new co-hosts," he added.

Sally Lindsay took over as host of Pointless (Getty Images)

Unfortunately, actress Sally, who played Sally Unwin in Coronation Street and Lisa Johnson in the Sky comedy Mount Pleasant, faced negativity from fans of the show following her debut presenting gig. One viewer hit out at the former soap star for constantly looking down at her laptop as they tweeted: "Will you please stop constantly looking down at your laptop and engage more with contestants? Not liking the new look, sorry."

Another complained: "I’m struggling to get used to Sally Lindsay on pointless reading off a screen. Hope she grows into the role and starts to get more spontaneous."

"I love Sally but I'm not sure this is the gig for her," someone else moaned. While a fourth viewer tweeted: "Stop all your bloody whingeing about Sally on #Pointless. Richard did it for 12 years, he had built up a huge knowledge of facts over that time."

Following the onslaught of tweets about Sally's habit of reading from a laptop, Richard took it upon himself to defend his pal. The former Pointless presenter made light of the situation as he tweeted: "Wait, the laptop WORKS NOW????", to which she replied: "I don’t think you had it plugged in."

Richard, who has filmed more then 1,300 episodes and nearly 30 series of Pointless, announced his departure from the BBC One show earlier this year. In an emotional statement, he wrote: "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."

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