After hosting more than 800 episodes since 2017, Richard Osman has confirmed he will step down from his role on the BBC’s weekday quiz programme, signalling the end of an era for the long-running series.
Speaking on his podcast The Rest is Entertainment, Osman told listeners, “It will no longer be Richard Osman’s House of Games. It will be somebody else’s House of Games,” before adding, “And I gladly hand over the keys.”
The BBC has already agreed to continue the show following his departure, although the identity of his successor has not yet been disclosed to viewers.
A Personal And Professional Milestone
Reflecting on his time fronting the programme on BBC Two, Osman said, “I’ve loved it. And of course I met my wife through it as well,” referencing actress Ingrid Oliver, who appeared as a contestant in 2022.
He confirmed plans to host “one final week where I will hand over to the new host,” while acknowledging the emotional significance of leaving a format he has steered for nearly a decade.
Osman admitted, “It’s just with the writing, there comes a point, you know, where you have to hand it over,” adding, “I’ve loved doing it so much and I’ll be gutted when I don’t do it any more.”
Expanding Literary And Media Commitments
The presenter’s growing literary success has increasingly shaped his professional focus, particularly following the widespread popularity of The Thursday Murder Club, later adapted into a Netflix series.
Osman has balanced television commitments with his podcast work alongside journalist Marina Hyde since 2023, further diversifying his media presence beyond traditional quiz formats.
In an Instagram statement thanking supporters, he described his tenure as an “amazing nine years,” while expressing gratitude for the encouragement received from viewers.
Rob Unsworth, the BBC’s head of daytime and early peak commissioning, said, “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, “But as we wish him even more success in the future, we also look forward to sharing with viewers who the House of Games’s next resident will be – and will have more on that soon.”
The current ninth series is attracting around 1.6 million viewers across seven-day viewing figures, underscoring the enduring popularity of the format Osman helped build.