Richard Osman final Pointless episode as he quits after 13 years to focus on new career

Richard Osman has said goodbye in his final episode of BBC game show Pointless after more than a decade.

Pointless first launched on BBC Two back in 2009 before moving to BBC One in 2011 after proving a huge hit.

Throughout that time Richard Osman has hosted alongside Alexander Armstrong with the pair filming well over 1,000 episodes.

But their time together has come to an end with Richard quitting his role to focus on his writing career.

He announced earlier this year on social media: “After 13 wonderful years I’m leaving daytime Pointless, to concentrate on writing.

“Will still be doing the celebrity shows and ‘House Of Games’. It has been the GREATEST pleasure and I can’t wait to start watching as a viewer. Thank you to everyone

Richard added: “Will miss the whole team, especially the incomparable @XanderArmstrong Thank you to everyone who watches, it really has been a dream, and I know the show will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Alexander Armstrong commented: “Daytime television’s loss is international best-selling crime fiction’s gain. I say that like it’s a consolation – I’m going to miss the big man next to me Monday to Friday. But at least I still get him at weekends – and weekdays if you’re watching on Challenge.”

This week saw Richard announce his final episode had aired, telling his followers on Twitter: “I will still be on screen for a while in repeats, but yesterday was my final ever episode of daytime #Pointless after 12 years.

“Only Xander and I knew that at time of recording, so I wanted to give him a heartfelt message.”

Richard then posted a clip from the episode, saying: “I was just in an interview, and they always ask about Pointless at the end of it, they always say ‘and how’s Pointless and what’s Xander like?’ and I always say how lovely you are.

“So I just want to say how lucky I am to work with you. I always think after the end of interviews, ‘I must tell Xander in person’, which I never do. So now I’ll tell you on telly.”

Alexander replies: “That’s the nicest thing in the world and I’ll get an opportunity, I hope, to tell you the same thing.”

Richard joked: “Well, if it were true.”

There will be no immediate replacement for Richard with a series of guest co-hosts joining Alexander Armstrong on the daytime show.

Sally Lindsay, Alex Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Stephen Mangan, Konnie Huq and Ed Gamble will all join Alexander when new episodes begin in September.

Pointless sees teams of two contestants having to find correct but obscure answers to general knowledge questions in order to score as few points as possible.

All the questions asked are put to 100 individuals. Contestants must give correct answers that were given by as few people as possible with a pointless answer adding £250 to the prize pot.

While Alexander asked the questions his ‘Pointless friend’ Richard offered up all the possible answers to those in the studio and viewers at home.

Applications to be on the next series of Pointless are open now.

The BBC ask: “Could you trust your mum, brother, housemate, or your partner to help you win big under pressure? We would love to hear from pairs of fun, lively people who think they can take up the Pointless challenge.”

You must be at least 18 to apply and the closing date for applications is 3 February 2023 at midnight.

You can apply online by clicking here.