Bold opening: Richard Osman steps away from House of Games after an extraordinary nine years of witty quizzing and warm storytelling.
The general knowledge quiz, which airs on BBC Two on weekdays, will miss his distinctive presence. Osman told his listeners he has loved the show and cheekily noted that he even met his wife through it.
Beyond House of Games, Osman is best known for his best-selling Thursday Murder Club novels, the first of which became a Netflix series starring Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.
Explaining his departure, the presenter and author said: “With writing, there comes a moment when you have to hand it over. I’ve loved every moment of this, and I’ll be gutted when I don’t do it anymore.” He also expressed gratitude to fans for their kind words, sharing in an Instagram post that the nine-year run has been amazing.
In a BBC statement, Rob Unsworth, the head of daytime and early peak commissioning, praised Osman’s impact: “Richard Osman has established House of Games as one of our best-loved shows. His contribution to its success is immeasurable, and we’re deeply grateful for his work over the last nine years. We’re excited to reveal who will carry the show forward and will share more details soon.”
The BBC noted that the current ninth series was attracting around 1.6 million viewers when including catch-up and on-demand viewing over a seven-day period.
Osman previously co-hosted another beloved BBC quiz show, Pointless, alongside Alexander Armstrong, who remains at the helm.
In addition to his writing career, Osman has been hosting a podcast with journalist Marina Hyde since 2023.
Question to readers: Do you think the show can keep its magic with a new face at the helm, or will Osman’s signature style be irreplaceable? Share your thoughts below.
