Richard Osman has confirmed he is hosting his final week of BBC Two's House of Games after nine years, with Michael Sheen set to take over as the new presenter.
Osman has presented the BBC gameshow since it began in 2017. Earlier this year, he announced he was stepping down as the host of the popular show, stating it was 'time' for someone else to take the reins.
Final episodes and 'new era'
This week, he took to Instagram to confirm it was his last few episodes on the programme before a new presenter would take over, which was recently revealed to be actor Michael Sheen.
Sharing a snap of himself on social media with his final batch of celebrities, including Miles Jupp, Cariad Lloyd, Lucy Porter and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Osman told his followers that next week it would be a 'new era' of the gameshow, reports the Express.
While he teased he'd be speaking about his 'joy and gratitude' of hosting the BBC show for nine years at the end of the week, it wasn't long before people commented on the post, with many sad to see him bowing out.
Fans react to his departure
One person said, "Oh, Richard, you will be missed. Our favourite time of the day. Family quiz time with you and your lovely guests. I will continue to join the fun in your great books. Thank you."
Someone else wrote: "What a quiz show! You have made it with your catch phrases, wit, humour and personality. Thank you for being so entertaining. You will be missed." Another shared: "Sad times. You will be much missed, but I'm sure Michael Sheen will be a worthy replacement."
Michael Sheen takes over
Prior to his first episode, Michael Sheen confessed he was 'really excited' yet nervous to take over from Osman as the new host. Sharing that Osman was 'very encouraging' about the idea of him taking over, he told the BBC, 'I couldn't say no'.
When asked how he's going to put his own stamp on it, Sheen replied: "Well, I joked early on when I first started doing it that I was going to put my own stamp on it by making everything look really difficult because Richard made everything look so easy."
"But ultimately, I've just really tried to enjoy it and let my enjoyment come through. I try not to censor myself or have a plan for how I'm going to do it."
"I really enjoy playing the games along with everyone else, and I really enjoy having a laugh with the players. I just let that lead me really, rather than trying to think about how I'm going to do it."
He added: "I hope that people will feel that the spirit of the show will continue in the same manner. That the sort of warmth, humour, mischief and respect for the games that Richard had, will continue through me. But maybe too, people will see the show in a slightly different light, because there's someone different hosting it."
House of Games airs weeknights on BBC Two at 6pm.
