Richard Osman features as one of the celebrity experts tonight on Michael McIntyre’s popular BBC One game show. The 53-year-old has made a name for himself as a presenter, author and comedian.
He’s currently making waves with his Thursday Murder Club mystery books, which are being adapted into a Netflix film featuring an all-star cast. Additionally, Richard is famed for being the original creator and co-host of the quiz show Pointless.
Originally from Billericay in Essex, Richard has been candid about his early life struggles when, at the age of nine, his dad left the family. He shared the profound impact this had on him and his mother throughout their lives.
“It was the worst thing that ever happened to me,” he remembered. “He just left and I didn’t see him again for 20 years that’s hard.”
Furthermore, he expressed: “It derails you and it takes a long time to get back on track. It takes you a lot longer to mature and find yourself.”
Two decades after his father’s departure, Richard eventually met with him but disclosed that there was little sense of connection.
When probed about whether this experience broke his heart, he conceded: “Of course. But the heart doesn’t lie. It would be lovely to have that father-son relationship, but there isn’t a connection.”
“If you haven’t seen your dad for 20 years you expect something and I would have loved it if we could have been best buddies.”
“I’m thankful I have the relationship I now have with my dad. He’s a perfectly nice fella I think he’s just one of those people who married the wrong person but I don’t feel it in my heart. Which is sad,” he disclosed to The Mirror.
His bond with his mother Brenda was notably strong, and he expressed this by purchasing her a plush residence in the South Downs of West Sussex where she could relax in her retirement.
Richard’s elder sibling, Mat, is known in the music industry as the bass player for the renowned indie group Suede.
Mat’s history with future Suede frontman Brett Anderson began in Haywards Heath, where they first played together in nascent garage bands such as The Pigs and Suave And Elegant.
Multitalented Mat also delves into writing; his debut novel ‘The Ruins’ was released back in February 2020, followed by two additional works.
Two children brighten Richard’s life from his initial nuptial venture, which ended in divorce. In December 2022, ties of love led him down the aisle again with British actress Ingrid Oliver after meeting her on the set of ‘Richard Osman’s House Of Games’.
By 2021, Richard had set up his abode in Chiswick, West London.