Richard Thomas Osman(born 28 November 1970) is an English television presenter, producer, novelist, and comedian. He is the creator and former co-presenter of theBBC Onetelevision quiz showPointless.He has presented theBBC Twoquiz showsTwo TribesandRichard Osman's House of Games,and been a team captain on the comedy panel showsInsert Name HereandThe Fake News Show.He has also made appearances on Britishpanel showsincludingWould I Lie To You?andQI.
Richard Osman | |
|---|---|
 Osman in 2022 | |
| Born | Richard Thomas Osman 28 November 1970 Billericay,Essex,England |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge(BA) |
| Occupation | Comedian•producer•television presenter•novelist |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Known for | |
| Notable work | Thursday Murder Clubseries |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Mat Osman(brother) |
Osman worked atHat Trick Productionsbefore becomingcreative directorof the television production companyEndemol UK,producing shows includingPrize IslandforITVandDeal or No DealforChannel 4.He is the author of the bestsellingThursday Murder Clubmystery novels.
Early life and education
editRichard Thomas Osman[1]was born on 28 November 1970,[2][3]inBillericay,Essex,[4]to Brenda Wright and David Osman. When he was nine years old, his father walked out on the family, which Osman says created difficulty for the rest of his life. His mother attended teacher training college and found making money to support her family a struggle.[5]His older brother is the musicianMat Osman,bass guitarist with the rock bandSuede.[6]The boys grew up inHaywards Heath,West Sussex.[5]
Osman attendedWarden Park SchoolinCuckfield.[7]While still at school, he gained his first broadcasting experience, as a regular contributor toTurn It Up,an open-access music show which went out on Sunday evenings onBBC Radio Sussex.[citation needed]
From 1989 to 1992, he studiedpoliticsandsociologyatTrinity College, Cambridge,where he was a contemporary ofPointlessco-presenterAlexander Armstrong,who read English.[8][9]
Television career
editProduction
editOsman worked asexecutive produceron British game shows, includingChannel 4comedy panel game8 Out of 10 Catsand satirical comedy10 O'Clock Live.He was the creative director at TV company Endemol UK, pitching the idea forPointlessto the BBC, becoming its co-presenter with his former university friendAlexander Armstrong,when it launched in 2009.
Osman created the short-lived 2013 ITV gameshowPrize Island.[10]His other credits includeWhose Line Is It Anyway?,Total Wipeoutand the game show24 Hour Quiz.
Osman acted asscript editorfor BBC One'sTotal Wipeout,and in 1999 created and wrote the Channel 4 sitcomBoyz UnlimitedwithDavid WalliamsandMatt Lucas.In 2005, he co-created and co-wrote the animated Channel 4 sitcomBromwell High.[11][12][13]
Osman left Endemol in 2020.[14]
Presenting andPointless
editFrom 2009 until 2022, Osman co-presented theBBC Oneteatime quiz showPointlesswith hostAlexander Armstrong.He created the show where he is jokingly known as Armstrong's "pointless friend". Having previously worked exclusively in behind-the-camera roles, Osman got the job as co-presenter/assistant when he pitched the idea for the show to a panel of BBC daytime heads, taking the role of the assistant in the demonstration.[15][16]
Osman guest hostedHave I Got News for Youin October 2013.[16][17]In 2014, he began presenting a newBBC Twoquiz show calledTwo Tribes.A second series began airing in February 2015.[18]From October 2014, he guest-presented episodes ofThe One Show.Beginning in 2016, he was a team captain on the BBC Two comedy panel showInsert Name Here,hosted bySue Perkins.A second series was commissioned to begin airing in January 2017.
In February and December 2016, he presentedDragons' Den: Pitches to Riches,two special episodes which looked back over the past thirteen series ofDragons' Denon BBC Two. Since 2016, Osman has presentedChild GeniusonChannel 4.[19]He appeared on the telethonRed Nose Day 2017withThe World Cup of Biscuits 2017.This involved polling with Twitter to find the best British biscuit. In April 2017 he appeared in the first episode of the third series ofMurder in Successville.
In 2017, he began hosting his showRichard Osman's House of Games.Each weekday, four panelists compete in general knowledge tests in a variety of entertaining games. Six series of the show have been made. In 2020, Osman created a spin-off show titledHouse of Games Night,which aired on BBC One on Friday nights.
On 8 April 2022, Osman announced he would be leavingPointless,after 1,300 episodes across 30 series. After hisThe Thursday Murder Clubseries received critical acclaim, he wished to spend more time as an author. He is, however, continuing to appear on the spin-offPointless Celebrities.In a statement, he said, "Pointlesshas 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 I'll still be presenting the celebrity shows. I can't thank everyone enough for 12 amazing years. "He was replaced by a rotating series of guest presenters. His co-host Armstrong said," 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 ".[20]
In November 2023, Osman began hosting a podcast,The Rest Is Entertainment,withMarina Hyde.[21]
Comedy
editOsman has appeared on the panel showsWould I Lie to You?,Have I Got News for You,I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue,The Unbelievable Truth,QI,and8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.[citation needed]
In 2016, he was a contestant on the second series ofTaskmasterand appeared on the darts showLet's Play Darts.[citation needed]
Literary career
edit
Viking Press,a subsidiary ofPenguin Random House,acquired the rights to Osman's debut novel,The Thursday Murder Club,and one other novel, for a seven-figure sum in a 10-publisher auction in 2019.[22]Osman's debut crime novel was published on 3 September 2020.[23]
TheThursday Murder Clubseries is set in a luxury retirement village inKentwhere four residents gather to investigate crime cases, including a "live" murder mystery.[24]Osman confirmed in August 2020 thatSteven Spielberghad acquired the book's film rights.[25]The book sold 45,000 UK hardback copies in the first three days after publication, and by March 2021 had sold well over one million copies in the UK.[26]
The first novel in the series was followed byThe Man Who Died Twicein 2021,The Bullet That Missedin 2022,[27][28]andThe Last Devil To Diein 2023.[29][30]The Last Devil To Diereached number one on theNew York TimesBest Seller list.[31]A fifth book in the series is planned for release in 2025.[32]
Osman's latest book,We Solve Murders,is the first in a new series. It was released in September 2024.[33]
Other activities
editOsman presentedThe Birthday Gamepodcast.[34]In 2021 he featured in podcast adverts for premium ready-meal brand Charlie Bigham's.[35]
In December 2021, Osman was the guest for BBC Radio 4'sDesert Island Discs.His choices included "American Boy"byEstellewithKanye Westand "A Little Respect"byErasure,with his favourite "You Can't Stop the Beat"by the cast ofHairspray.[citation needed]
On 9 June 2022, Osman was the subject of the BBC'sWho Do You Think You Are?,in which he discovered that a distant relative had been involved in a celebratedVictorianmurder case.[36][37][38]
Personal life
editOsman was born withnystagmus,an eye condition that significantly reduces his vision.[39]He learns his scripts by heart as his condition makes it difficult to read anautocue.[40]He has had afood addictionsince childhood and said that he had therapy for the disorder, but believed that it would be lifelong.[41][42]
Osman has two children from his first marriage, which ended in divorce.[43][42]On 3 December 2022 he married British actressIngrid Oliver,whom he met when she was a contestant onRichard Osman's House Of Games.[44]
On 6 December 2011, Osman wonHeat's "Weirdest Crush Award".[45]In 2013 he was aseason ticketholder atFulham F.C.[46]
As of 2021[update]Osman was living inChiswick,West London.[47][48]
Television work
editProduction credits
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Programme associate | Channel 4 | 12 episodes |
| 1998–1999 | If I Ruled the World | Creator, producer | BBC Two | 2 series |
| 1999 | Boyz Unlimited | Co-creator (withDavid WalliamsandMatt Lucas) | Channel 4 | 6 episodes |
| 2001 | The Adam and Joe Show | Additional material | 3 episodes | |
| 2004 | Ban This Filth | Executive producer | 6 episodes | |
| 2005 | Bromwell High | Writer | 12 episodes | |
| 2005–2017 | 8 Out of 10 Cats | Executive producer (41 episodes) Edit producer (1 episode) |
42 episodes | |
| 2009–2010 | You Have Been Watching | Executive producer | 15 episodes | |
| 2009–2011 | Total Wipeout | Script editor (36 episodes) Programme associate (9 episodes) |
BBC One | 45 episodes |
| 2010 | Channel 4's Alternative Election Night | Executive producer | Channel 4 | One-off programme |
| 2011–2013 | 10 O'Clock Live | 33 episodes | ||
| 2012–2018 | 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown | 16 series | ||
| 2013 | Prize Island | Creator | ITV | 1 series |
| 2014–2016 | Only Connect | Additional questions | BBC Two | 5 episodes |
Presenting roles
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2022 | Pointless | Co-presenter | BBC One(2011–2022) BBC Two(2009–2011) |
27 series |
| 2011– | Pointless Celebrities | BBC One | 13 series | |
| 2014– | The One Show | Guest presenter | 7 episodes | |
| 2014–2015 | Two Tribes | Presenter | BBC Two | 2 series |
| 2016 | Dragons' Den: Pitches to Riches | 2 episodes | ||
| 2016– | Child Genius | Channel 4 | Series 4– | |
| 2017 | The Nightly Show | Celebrity host | ITV | 1 episode |
| Channel 4's Alternative Election Night | Co-presenter | Channel 4 | One-off programme | |
| 2017– | Richard Osman's House of Games | Presenter | BBC Two | 5 series |
| 2018 | Re-Play 2018 with Richard Osman | ITV | One-off programme | |
| 2020 | Richard Osman's House of Games Night[49] | BBC One | 2 series |
Non-presenting appearances
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2016 | Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two | Panellist | BBC Two | 3 episodes |
| 2012–2022 | Have I Got News for You | Guest panellist | BBC One | 15 episodes plus four highlights specials |
| 2012–2019 | Would I Lie to You? | Guest | 7 episodes | |
| 2013 | The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | Himself | Channel 4 | TV special |
| 2013–2017 | 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown | Contestant | 5 episodes | |
| 2013 | QI | Guest | BBC Two | 4 episodes |
| 2014 | Not Going Out | Himself/cameo role | BBC One | 1 episode: "Pointless" |
| Room 101 | Guest | 1 episode | ||
| 2014 World Snooker Championship | Special guest (1 episode) Potless presenter (3 episodes) |
BBC Two | 4 episodes | |
| 2015 | 2015 World Snooker Championship | Celebrity predictions (1 episode) Celebrity player (1 episode) |
2 episodes | |
| Let's Play Darts | Participant/commentator | Charity series | ||
| Danger Mouse | Professor Strontium Jellyfishowitz | CBBC | Voice only | |
| Celebrity Juice | Guest | ITV2 | 3 episodes | |
| 8 Out of 10 Cats | Channel 4 | 1 episode | ||
| 2015–2017 | Loose Women | ITV | 3 episodes | |
| 2016 | Play to the Whistle | Himself | 1 episode | |
| Duck Quacks Don't Echo | Guest | Sky One | 1 episode | |
| Taskmaster | Contestant | Dave | Series 2 | |
| Eurovision Song Contest 2016 | UK spokesperson | BBC One,EBU | Annual programme | |
| 2016–2020 | The Last Leg | Guest | Channel 4 | 6 episodes |
| 2016–2020 | Insert Name Here | Team captain | BBC Two | 3 series |
| 2017 | The Fake News Show | Channel 4 | 1 series | |
| Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit | Contestant | Dave | 1 episode | |
| Murder in Successville | Himself | BBC Three | 1 episode | |
| 2017–2020 | Sunday Brunch | Guest | Channel 4 | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Frankie Boyle's New World Order | Guest | BBC Two | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Catchphrase | Celebrity contestant | ITV | 1 episode |
| The Ranganation | Guest | BBC Two | 1 episode | |
| Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier | Himself | Dave | 1 episode | |
| 2020 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? | Celebrity contestant | ITV | 1 episode |
| The Graham Norton Show | Himself | BBC One | 1 episode | |
| Saturday Kitchen Live | Guest | 1 episode | ||
| Anthony | Himself | TV film[50] | ||
| 2022 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Himself | 1 episode - Shown on 10 June 2022 | |
| Saturday Kitchen | Himself | 1 episode - Shown on 18 September 2022[51] | ||
| Celebrity Antiques Road Trip | Celebrity contestant | BBC Two | 1 episode - Shown on 28 December 2022[52] | |
| 2023 | Have I Got News For You | Guest panellist | BBC One | 1 episode - Shown on 21 April 2023[53] |
| 2024 | Saturday Kitchen | Guest | 1 episode - Shown on 21 September 2024[54] | |
| Have I Got News For You | Guest panellist | 1 episode - Shown on 8 November 2024[55] |
Bibliography
editNon-fiction
edit| Year | Title | Co-author(s) | Publisher | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World | Alexander Armstrong | Coronet | 978-1-4447-6205-1 |
| 2013 | The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World | 978-1-4447-6208-2 | ||
| 2014 | The Very Pointless Quiz Book | 978-1-4447-8274-5 | ||
| 2015 | The A-Z of Pointless | 978-1-4447-8277-6 | ||
| 2016 | A Pointless History of the World | 978-1-4736-2324-8 | ||
| 2017 | The World Cup Of Everything: Bringing the Fun Home | 978-1-4736-6726-6 | ||
| 2019 | Richard Osman's House of Games | Alan Connor | BBC Books | 978-1-78594-462-8 |
Fiction
edit| Year | Title | Publisher | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Thursday Murder Club | Viking | 978-0-241-42544-2 | 1st in theThursday Murder Clubseries |
| 2021 | The Man Who Died Twice | 978-0-241-42542-8 | 2nd in theThursday Murder Clubseries | |
| 2022 | The Bullet That Missed | 978-0-241-51243-2 | 3rd in theThursday Murder Clubseries | |
| 2023 | The Last Devil To Die | 978-0-241-51244-9 | 4th in theThursday Murder Clubseries | |
| 2024 | We Solve Murders | 978-0-593-65322-7 | 1st in theWe Solve Murdersseries |
References
edit- ^"Richard Thomas Osman".find-and-update pany-information.service.gov.uk.Retrieved25 October2024.
- ^"Richard Osman on Who Do You Think You Are?: Everything you need to know".whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.
- ^Edwardes, Charlotte (9 September 2023)."Richard Osman: 'I would have been terrible in MI6. I'm too tall, spill secrets and can't lie'".The Guardian.
- ^"We speak to Pointless star Richard Osman about growing up in Essex"(Interview). greatbritishlife.co.uk. 6 February 2018.Retrieved25 October2024.
- ^abMcPhee, Rod (13 August 2014)."Pointless star Richard Osman reveals childhood agony that haunted him for decades".mirror.Retrieved2 July2018.
We never had any money or a car. I'm the most middle class man in Britain now, but I was never brought up with houses and foreign holidays. It must have been so hard for mum, raising us on no money.
- ^Dessau, Bruce (2 March 2013)."10 Questions for Suede's Brett Anderson & Mat Osman".The Arts Desk.Retrieved17 August2019.
- ^Page, Sarah (29 December 2021)."TV star Richard Osman reveals shock and pride while growing up in Mid Sussex".Sussex World.
- ^Gilbert, Gerard (10 March 2012)."Pedigree chum: Is Alexander Armstrong the poshest man in comedy?".The Independent.Retrieved26 March2013.
- ^"Richard Osman: Alexander Armstrong is cleverer than me but he's a bit posh".Metro.23 October 2012.
- ^Eames, Tom (25 June 2013)."Emma Willis show 'Prize Island' to be axed by ITV?".Digital Spy.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^"'Total Wipeout' (2009) Overview ".IMDb. 2015.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^"Boyz Unlimited (TV Series 1999–) Full Cast & Crew".IMDb. 2015.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^"Bromwell High (TV Series 2005–)".IMDb. 2015.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^Osman, Richard [@richardosman](21 December 2020)."I've worked at Endemol since I was 29, but it's time for me to move on. Will still be doing Pointless/House Of Games & working with brilliant people there. But also looking forward to creating new shows with new people. It's been a wonderful 20 years, and I will miss it very much"(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2020.Retrieved13 December2022– viaTwitter.
- ^Meltzer, Tom (4 June 2013)."Pointless: Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman on TV's favourite quiz".The Guardian.Retrieved6 June2013.
- ^abOsman, Richard (6 July 2011)."Pointless: How I became the co-host".BBC.
- ^"BBC Daytime re-commissions Pointless".BBC Press Office.6 October 2009.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^Wightman, Catriona (23 April 2014)."Pointless star Richard Osman to host new BBC quiz show Two Tribes".Digital Spy.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^Sam Warner (1 March 2016)."Richard Osman is hosting the new series of Channel 4's Child Genius".Digital Spy.
- ^"Richard Osman: Pointless star quits BBC quiz show".BBC News.8 April 2022.Retrieved8 April2022.
- ^"The Rest Is Entertainment".Goalhanger Podcasts.Retrieved15 February2024.
- ^"Richard Osman's fiction debut scooped by Viking for seven figures in 10-way auction".Thebookseller.Retrieved23 May2019.
- ^Thomas, Rebecca (27 August 2020)."Richard Osman: 'I wish I were cooler but I'm not'".BBC News.Retrieved29 August2020.
- ^Barnett, David (23 May 2019)."Richard Osman lands 'seven-figure' deal for crime novel written in secret".The Guardian.Retrieved16 October2019.
- ^McLennan, Patrick (27 August 2020)."Pointless star Richard Osman says Steven Spielberg is making a film of his Thursday Murder Club novel".Radio Times.Retrieved29 August2020.
- ^The Bestseller Awards [@BestsellerAwrds] (17 March 2021)."Congratulations to Platinum Bestseller @richardosman for his debut #TheThursdayMurderClub published by @VikingBooksUK in 2020 - the only book to reach 1 million+ UK sales in the same year!🎉" More than anything, a big thank you to all the booksellers up and down the country "👏 https://t.co/Bu6xcx32dR"(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on 17 March 2021.Retrieved4 September2021– viaTwitter.
- ^Osman, Richard (15 September 2022).The Bullet That Missed.ASIN0241512425.
- ^Flood, Alison (4 September 2022)."The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman review –sleuthing sequel hits the bullseye".The Observer.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^Osman, Richard (24 May 2023)."The Last Devil To Die".Penguin Random House.Retrieved25 June2023.
- ^Redmond, Moira (5 September 2023)."Ignore the snobs - Richard Osman is the rightful king of crime".inews.co.uk.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^"Best Sellers".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved28 September2023.
- ^Knight, Lucy (20 February 2024)."Richard Osman to publish first novel in new crime series".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 24 February 2024.Retrieved27 February2024.
- ^Knight, Lucy (21 February 2024)."Richard Osman: Richard Osman to publish first novel in new crime series".The Guardian.Retrieved25 February2024.
- ^Osman, Richard [@richardosman](2 September 2019)."'The Birthday Game' is now available wherever you get your podcasts! It's a funny, very silly podcast that everybody can play along with. New episode every Monday. This week's players are @rickedwards1 @phlaimeaux and @MaisieAdam https://t.co/DglrKm6tzU "(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on 12 September 2019.Retrieved13 December2022– viaTwitter.
- ^"Charlie Bigham's launches £3m multimedia spring ad campaign".betterRetailing.13 April 2021.Retrieved6 May2021.
- ^"Who do You Think You Are? - Series 19: 2. Richard Osman".
- ^Singh, Anita (9 June 2022)."Who Do You Think You Are? review: Richard Osman explores his convenient family history".The Daily Telegraph.
- ^"Richard Osman on Who Do You Think You Are?: Everything you need to know".Who Do You Think You Are Magazine.
- ^Osman, Richard [@richardosman](11 October 2013)."And for anyone asking, I promise I wasn't shaking. I have a condition called nystagmus which makes my eyes constantly flicker"(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on 4 September 2021.Retrieved13 December2022– viaTwitter.
- ^"Richard Osman reveals the secrets of Pointless".Radio Times.16 January 2017.Retrieved12 October2020.
- ^"Richard Osman opens up to Desert Island Discs about food addiction".BBC News.26 December 2021.Retrieved26 December2021.
- ^ab"Richard Osman, writer and broadcaster".Desert Island Discs.BBC. 26 December 2021. BBC Radio 4.
- ^Edwardes, Charlotte (9 September 2023)."Richard Osman: 'I would have been terrible in MI6. I'm too tall, spill secrets and can't lie'".The Guardian.Retrieved13 September2023.
- ^Osman, Richard [@richardosman](5 December 2022)."The most magical, joyful day on Saturday with my beautiful wife @ingridoliver100. Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, a day full of love and laughter. We're so, so happy ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/nAoOcUPIhz"(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on 7 December 2022.Retrieved13 December2022– viaTwitter.
- ^"'Pointless' Co-Presenter Richard Osman Named 2011's Top Weird Crush ".HuffPost.6 December 2011.
- ^Lawrenson, Mark (17 March 2013)."Mark Lawrenson's Premier League predictions".BBC Sport.Retrieved7 July2015.
- ^"Richard Osman:" We are obsessed with young people "".RTÉ.ie.8 September 2020.
- ^Clark, Alex (4 September 2021)."Richard Osman: 'No one's born a crime writer. I write crime because I read it'".The Guardian.Retrieved1 January2022.
- ^"Richard Osman's House of Games Night, Series 1, episode 1".BBC.
- ^"Anthony (TV Movie 2020)".IMDb.Retrieved4 May2022.
- ^"Saturday Kitchen".Cnbc.Retrieved18 September2022.
- ^"Celebrity Antiques Road Trip".Radiotimes.Retrieved28 December2022.
- ^"Have I Got News For You".Bbc.co.uk.Retrieved20 April2023.
- ^"Saturday Kitchen".bbc.co.uk/food.Retrieved21 September2024.
- ^"Have I Got News for You - Series 68: Episode 6".