The BBC has announced a number of top names to replace Richard Osman on daytime episodes of Pointless. Sally Lindsay, Alex Brooker, Lauren Laverne, Stephen Mangan, Konnie Huq and Ed Gamble will all join Alexander Armstrong on the long-running quiz show.
Osman, who has published a series of best-selling crime novels, will continue to co-host Pointless Celebrities and his BBC Two quiz show, Richard Osman’s House of Games. He had hosted Pointless since 2009.
Armstrong says: “This is going to be such a ride! Richard will still be in once a week on Saturdays to make sure everything’s ticking over nicely, but otherwise it’s just me bringing new Pointless friends in and showing them the ropes. Loads of new and fun personalities on the desk next to me. I can’t wait.”
Sally Lindsay, adds: “As everyone knows I LOVE a game show and being asked to sit in Richard Osman’s hallowed chair is beyond thrilling! Can’t wait to be Pointless.” Stephen Mangan, comments: “I am incredibly excited to be joining my old friend Xander on such an iconic show. What could possibly go wrong...?”
Lauren Laverne, adds: “It’s an honour and a thrill to be joining the Pointless team and to go from playing along at home to celebrating (and commiserating) with the brave contestants who take on the search for obscure and delightful nuggets of knowledge!” Ed Gamble, adds: “I’m presuming someone else has made the joke about having big shoes to fill but I want everyone to know I thought of it as well. I’m over the moon to have a go at co-hosting one of my favourite TV shows ever and I can’t wait to show everyone my impeccable general knowledge (providing I have full access to the internet at all times).”
Konnie Huq, says: “Really looking forward to sitting at the esteemed Pointless computer and sharing my pearls of wisdom on the show! Can’t wait to get cracking, gonna go revise now!” Alex Brooker, adds: “When you think of Richard Osman on Pointless, you think of his charm, wit and intelligence. I’m so proud to think the show have decided to go completely the opposite way with me! I’m so excited to be a part of such a brilliant show and can’t wait to work with Xander.”
Tamara Gilder, creative director for Remarkable Entertainment, added: “We are so excited to have some amazing new Pointless friends joining us this series, and for the first time EVER we are powering up the laptop on the co-hosts desk and turning it on… although we’ve promised Richard we’ll turn it off again when he’s back with us on Pointless Celebrities.”
Lindsay Bradbury, Acting Head of Daytime and Early Peak, comments: “We’re delighted to be welcoming such a brilliant line up of hosts to Pointless. Alexander has been incredibly generous at making them feel at home behind the iconic Pointless desk.”
Pointless is a Remarkable Entertainment (a Banijay UK company) production for BBC One. It is commissioned by Lindsay Bradbury, Acting Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak and Neil Neil McCallum, Commissioning Editor. Tamara Gilder is executive producer for Remarkable Entertainment, alongside Richard Hague & Stephen Lovelock, with Laura Turner series producing.
