For the first time in 13 years, Richard Osman has announced that he will be quitting Pointless.
Since 2009, she and Alexander Armstrong have hosted the British quiz show together.
Alexander Armstrong and I have worked together on Pointless since its inception, supported by the best team and the best audience in the world,” he said in a statement.
“I will miss everyone so much,” the TV presenter continued before revealing that he will still be presenting the Pointless celebrity specials.
After over 1,300 episodes, 26 series’ and 13 celebrity series’, fans are gutted that Richard is leaving the show, but why has he decided to quit? Read on to find out.
Why is Richard leaving Pointless?
Richard is leaving the quiz show to focus on his writing career.
The novelist has published many books including the hugely successful Thursday Murder Club series which is being adapted into a film by StevenSpielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.
He tweeted:
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“With the runaway success of the books around the world, something had to give. I will always love Pointless and I will also watch it,” he also said in his official statement.
A BBC source further added: “Richard has loved every second of doing the show alongside Xander but he really wants to give his all to his writing career which has been an enormous success.”
“His departure is completely amicable but he just does not have enough
hours in the day to do everything so sadly something had to give. His literary career is going from strength to strength so he’s having
to be slightly more choosy with what he does TV-wise,” they continued.
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Who is replacing him?
However, Richard will not be replaced by a permanent co-host on BBC One immediately.
There will instead be a rotating cast of presenters accompanying Alexander Armstrong.
A timetable for the duration of this arrangement will be announced at a later date this year.
While Alexander hosts the show, Richard sits behind a laptop and provides answers and trivia.
The BBC One quiz program was really established by Richard before he became a co-host.