Richard Osman has announced he will leave his role as host of the BBC quiz show House of Games after nine years. The 55-year-old presenter shared the news on his podcast, citing a desire to focus on his bestselling Thursday Murder Club novels. The show will continue with a new host.
Richard Osman, the TV presenter and author, revealed on March 3, 2026, that he is exiting House of Games, the BBC Two quiz program he has hosted since 2017. Speaking on his podcast The Rest is Entertainment with co-host Marina Hyde, Osman explained his decision mirrors his earlier departure from Pointless, emphasizing the need to prioritize his writing career.
'I am leaving House of Games. It will no longer be Richard Osman’s House of Games,' Osman said. 'It will be somebody else’s House of Games. I gladly hand over the keys.' He expressed deep affection for the show, noting he has completed 800 episodes and even met his wife through it. However, the demands of his popular Thursday Murder Club series necessitated the change. 'Just with the writing, there comes a point where you have to hand it over,' he added.
The ninth series of House of Games is currently airing, produced by Remarkable Entertainment, part of Banijay UK. Osman plans to film a final week, during which he will pass the iconic red armchair to his successor. The BBC confirmed the show will persist, with exciting plans forthcoming.
In a statement, Rob Unsworth, head of daytime and early peak commissioning at the BBC, praised Osman's impact: '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.' Banijay's joint managing director Tamara Gilder echoed this, promising revelations about the future soon.
Osman's exit comes amid the show's strong popularity, having become a staple since its debut. Hyde thanked him for bringing joy to audiences, while Osman joked about potential replacements like Su Pollard.
