Richard Osman has announced that he is stepping back from Pointless after nearly 13 years on the show. The presenter and novelist has been part of the BBC One game show alongside Alexander Armstrong since it debuted in 2009.
While he may be leaving his role on the regular version of the hit programme, Richard has softened the blow by revealing to fans that he will continue to host Pointless Celebrities as well as his BBC Two show, Richard Osman’s House of Games.
Sharing the news on Twitter, the 51-year-old said: "SOME NEWS! After 13 wonderful years I'm leaving daytime Pointless, to concentrate on writing. Will still be doing the celebrity shows and 'HouseOfGames'. It has been the GREATEST pleasure and I can't wait to start watching as a viewer. Thank you to everyone!"
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He then added in a follow-up tweet: "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.
"#TheThursdayMurderClub has become such a juggernaut around the world I simply couldn't keep up with my schedule. Delighted I'll still be involved in Pointless Celebrities though. I will still always be your Pointless friend."
It comes after Richard'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.
Also in a statement released by the BBC, Richard, who has filmed more then 1,300 episodes and nearly 30 series of Pointless, 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."
Alexander also commented on his co-host's exit: "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."
