Richard Osman Announces Departure from BBC's House of Games After Nine-Year Tenure
Richard Osman, the acclaimed novelist and broadcaster, has confirmed he will be stepping down from his role as host of the BBC Two quiz show House of Games after nine years at the helm. The BAFTA-nominated series, which launched in 2017 and is currently airing its ninth season, will see Osman record a final week of episodes before handing over the reins to a new presenter.
Osman's Farewell and Future Plans
In a statement, Osman explained his decision to leave the popular programme, stating he wanted to 'let someone else have a go' at hosting. He expressed gratitude for his time on the show, saying, 'It has been such a great pleasure, and honour, to present House of Games for the last nine years, with the absolute best team in television. But it's time to let someone else have a go, and I'm very excited to hand over the House keys to the lucky new host!'
The show's production team praised Osman's contributions, noting, 'We are incredibly grateful to Richard for being the most brilliant host for the past nine series and will miss him so very much. House Of Games is a hugely popular show, and we have some exciting plans… all will be revealed soon!' Rob Unsworth, the BBC's head of daytime, added that viewers can expect an announcement about the next host in the near future.
Format and Legacy of House of Games
House of Games is a daily quiz show that challenges four contestants to test their general knowledge over a series of consecutive days, with a daily winner and a weekly champion crowned. The programme has become a staple of BBC Two's lineup, airing at 6pm and available for streaming on iPlayer. Osman's departure marks the end of an era for the show, which has garnered a loyal following under his stewardship.
Osman Dismisses Strictly Come Dancing Hosting Rumours
In related news, Osman has addressed rumours surrounding the hosting vacancy on Strictly Come Dancing, following the departure of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. He dismissed claims that Alan Carr and Amanda Holden were offered the co-hosting job, calling them 'nonsense' on his podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment.
Osman stated, 'It's nonsense. Of course, they didn't [turn it down]. It was never offered to them. I would be fairly confident in saying that it has not yet been offered to anybody. I mean, it will be in the next month or so.' He suggested that any discussions were likely informal, such as agents inquiring about interest, rather than formal offers.
Alan Carr and Amanda Holden's Claims
Alan Carr and Amanda Holden had previously asserted that they turned down the Strictly hosting role. Carr, the winner of Celebrity Traitors, explained, 'We said no ages ago,' and added that he doesn't love the show enough to take on the presenting duties. He remarked, 'I just think I like watching the show, I don't love it. I think it would be better for someone who really, really loves it.'
Holden, a judge on Britain's Got Talent, echoed similar sentiments during an appearance on a podcast. However, Osman countered these claims, emphasising that no decisions have been made regarding the Strictly hosts, and everything remains 'on the table', including potential combinations of male and female presenters.
Other Rumours and Speculation
Osman also revealed that he had heard rumours about Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones being set to host Strictly, but he dismissed these as unfounded. He noted, 'I was told yesterday by someone with absolute certainty, "It's amazing that Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones are hosting Strictly." And I was like, I don't think they are hosting Strictly.' Walsh himself has expressed disinterest, stating the role would 'absolutely ruin my weekend'.
Other names rumoured for the Strictly hosting job include former It Takes Two hosts Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball, presenter Holly Willoughby, and former professional dancer Oti Mabuse. The vacancy has sparked widespread speculation in British television circles since Winkleman and Daly announced their departure last October.
Alan Carr's Busy Schedule and New Projects
Alan Carr is currently involved in eight different television shows, including the newly announced Disney Plus series Castle Man, where he will buy and renovate a castle. Osman commented on Carr's prolific output, saying, 'Ten years ago you could not have eight shows on television at the same time because too many people watched TV. Now, it is so splintered and everything is so siloed that actually you can.'
Richard Osman's House of Games continues to air on BBC Two at 6pm and is available for streaming on iPlayer, as fans await news of his replacement and the future of the beloved quiz show.
