Richard Osman has announced he will be exiting his hosting duties on House of Games after helming the BBC quiz show for nine years.
The 55-year-old shared the news on his podcast with Marina Hyde, having teased a career announcement at the start of Tuesday’s show.
The TV presenter-turned-bestselling author said that, much like his exit from Pointless, he has decided to step back in order to focus on his hugely popular Thursday Murder Club series of novels.
He said: ‘I am leaving House of Games. It will no longer be Richard Osman’s House of Games.
‘It will be somebody else’s House of Games. I gladly hand over the keys.’
Speaking on The Rest is Entertainment, he continued: ‘I just wanted to go on record saying how much I love it and loved it,’ noting he has completed 800 episodes on the programme.
‘I’ve loved it. Of course, I met my wife through it as well. Just with the writing, there comes a point where you have to hand it over.’
He noted that the BBC have said the show will go on, promising ‘that incredible team are still going to be making it with a different host’.
Osman then said he will complete a final week of filming, in which he will hand over the big red armchair to the new host.
‘I’ve loved doing it so much and I’ll be gutted when I don’t do it anymore, but I had to, in the same way with Pointless,’ he said.
His podcast co-host Hyde then thanked Osman for his work on the show and bringing ‘joy’ to her household.
‘Looking forward to Su Pollard’s House of Games,’ he joked.
Richard Osman’s House of Games is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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