Richard Osman Steps Down From House of Games After Nine Years

Richard Osman has announced he is leaving the BBC quiz show House of Games after nearly a decade as host. The presenter revealed the news on his podcast The Rest is Entertainment, confirming that the show will continue with a new host.

A Fond Farewell

“It will no longer be Richard Osman’s House of Games. It will be somebody else’s House of Games,” Osman said. He added that he would film one final week to hand over to his successor, though the BBC has not yet revealed who will take over.

Since its launch in 2017, Osman has fronted more than 800 episodes of the weekday quiz, which airs on BBC Two. The show has become a staple of British television, attracting around 1.6 million viewers per episode, including catch-up and on-demand audiences.

Personal Milestones

Osman credited the show not only with professional success but also with personal joy. He met his wife, actress Ingrid Oliver, when she appeared as a contestant in 2022. “I’ve loved it. And of course I met my wife through it as well,” he said.

Balancing Writing and Television

The presenter explained that his departure was driven by his writing career. Osman is the author of the best-selling Thursday Murder Club series, which has been adapted into a Netflix film starring Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. “It’s just with the writing, there comes a point where you have to hand it over,” he said.

BBC Tribute

Rob Unsworth, the BBC’s head of daytime and early peak commissioning, praised Osman’s contribution. “Richard Osman has established House of Games as one of our best-loved shows. His contribution to its success is impossible to overstate, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his work over the last nine years.”

He added that the BBC looks forward to announcing the next host soon.

A Legacy of Quiz Shows

Osman previously co-hosted Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong, cementing his reputation as one of Britain’s most recognizable quiz show figures. Beyond television, he continues to host his podcast with journalist Marina Hyde, launched in 2023. Osman thanked fans for their support in an Instagram post, calling his time on House of Games “an amazing nine years.”