Richard Osman's 'Pointless' replacements announced after star quits show

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
·2-min read
Richard Osman is leaving <em>Pointless</em>, which he co-hosts with Alexander Armstrong. (BBC)
Richard Osman is leaving Pointless, which he co-hosts with Alexander Armstrong. (BBC)

The Split actor Stephen Mangan, Corrie's Sally Lindsay and TV star Konnie Huq are among the stars filling in on Pointless after Richard Osman quit the show.

The TV presenter and author, 51, announced last month that he was stepping down after 13 years on the quiz programme, and from now on will only appear in celebrity specials.

The BBC has now lined up several guests to front the series alongside Osman's co-host Alexander Armstrong.

Read more: Richard Osman reveals Pointless swap offensive answers for acceptable ones

As well as Mangan, Lindsay and Huq, comedian Ed Gamble, radio star Lauren Laverne and The Last Leg's Alex Brooker are on board.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Stephen Mangan during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, to be aired on BBC One on Friday evening.
Stephen Mangan is one of the stars filling in. (PA)

Armstrong predicted that it was 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," he said.

"Loads of new and fun personalities on the desk next to me. I can’t wait.”

The new guest hosts also said they were looking forward to it, with Lindsay admitting being asked to sit in Osman’s "hallowed chair" was "beyond thrilling".

Sally Lindsay is excited about sitting in Richard Osman's chair. (Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Sally Lindsay is excited about sitting in Richard Osman's chair. (Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

Gamble quipped: “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).”

And actor Mangan teased: “I am incredibly excited to be joining my old friend Xander on such an iconic show. What could possibly go wrong...?”

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 05: British stand-up comedian Ed Gamble performs on stage during the Pleasance press launch at Pleasance Courtyard during the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 5, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images)
Ed Gamble said he has big shoes to fill. (Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images)

Announcing his exit from the show, Osman told fans on Twitter: "SOME NEWS!

"After 13 wonderful years I'm leaving daytime Pointless, to concentrate on writing. Will still be doing the celebrity shows and 'HouseOfGames'. It has been the GREATEST pleasure and I can't wait to start watching as a viewer.

Read more: Richard Osman accuses stars on Pointless Celebrities of cheating

"Thank you to everyone!"

Watch: Richard Osman doesn't think Alexander Armstrong would leave Pointless if he quit

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