Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriend

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Richard Osman has had a tumultuous love life since he shot to fame (Image: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)
Richard Osman has had a tumultuous love life since he shot to fame (Image: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)

Richard Osman shot to fame after appearing on hit TV game show Pointless - but that's not how you would describe his love life.

The 52-year-old presenter and author has had a tumultuous time in the world of romance, with an 'awful' divorce and a string of girlfriends.

He's got two kids with his first wife, who remains unknown, but that didn't stop him meeting "the one" during the pandemic - 14 years after their messy divorce.

Richard started dating Doctor Who star Ingrid Oliver, 46, after the pair went from being just friends to something more and later he revealed in an interview that he'd never been happier.

Now the pair have tied the knot, in a day which Richard described as "full of love and laughter".

Dad furious after boy, 6, orders over $1,000 of takeaways while his mum is out qhiqqkihiqkkinvDad furious after boy, 6, orders over $1,000 of takeaways while his mum is out
Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriendRichard Osman is well known around the country thanks to Pointless (Handout)

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Richard first the knot in the late 1990s and divorced in 2007, but not before having two children, Ruby and Sonny, with his ex.

In an interview with The Times, Richard said that he wanted to spend as much time with his children as possible after his dad left home when Richard was just 10 years old.

"When my partnership broke up, I did think, 'Oh God, this is going to be awful'.

"I've seen my kids nonstop. It was quickly worked out it wasn't going to be the same, which is an extraordinary relief," he said. "They know I love them and I tell them nonstop, which bores them rigid. But I never got told that."

After the split, he dated jazz singer Sumudu Jayatilaka in 2018 but their relationship was short-lived.

Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriendHe's now married to Ingrid Oliver (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

When he was asked about the breakup, he refused to speak about it but when he was asked whether the romance in his book was autobiographical he said: "I'd rather not go into all of that.

"We're not together, so I'd rather not upset her at all."

In an interview before he met Ingrid, he said that he enjoyed being single.

"Being single in your 40s is really great.

'So fed up of tiresome pal flirting with my husband and always putting me down''So fed up of tiresome pal flirting with my husband and always putting me down'

But added: "It's probably easier being a single man in your 40s than a single woman."

But then, a short while later, he gushed on the Christmas Day edition of Desert Island Discs about his new relationship.

Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriendThe pair married late last year (Getty Images)

He said: "I'm happy with myself, I've got these beautiful kids, I've met the woman who I’m going to be with for the rest of my life.

"'That thing of competition and ambition, you soon realise that rocket fuel disappears and it’s about happiness and my kids bring me happiness and Ingrid brings me happiness."

The pair had taken their relationship to the next level and Ingrid has moved into Richard's home in south-west London.

Ingrid, who is best known for her role as Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who, has previously featured alongside Richard on his show - Richard Osman's House of Games.

She is the daughter of Conservative MP Jo Gideon and starred in her BBC sketch Watson & Oliver.

Upping the romance levels further, Richard very smoothly dedicated a classic Erasure track A Little Respect to the actress.

Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriendRichard said he's never been happier (BBC/Remarkable Television, an Endemol UK company/Matt Frost)
Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriendIngrid met Richard when she appeared on a show he was hosting (SIPA USA/PA Images)

Richard and Ingrid's love blossomed during the first lockdown, with Richard telling friends at a dinner party after restrictions had lifted that "she is the one".

Then, in Dec 22, he shared the first picture from their wedding, having tied the knot after two years together.

Sharing the news on Twitter, Richard wrote: "The most magical, joyful day on Saturday with my beautiful wife @ingridoliver100.

"Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, a day full of love and laughter. We're so, so happy."

The couple married at Goodwood House, the Duke of Richmond’s seat in West Sussex, not far from where Richard grew up in the county.

Leaving the opulent ceremony room, the blushing bride beamed in a stunning white gown with a fitted silhouette and flowing train.

Meanwhile, Richard is dashing in a blue suit with a red rose pinned to his chest.

Richard Osman's tumultuous love life - 'awful' divorce and famous girlfriendRichard Osman (TV Grab)

In a previous interview with Lorraine Kelly, he added: "It's going to be a very un-showbizzy wedding, just with all our school friends. I can't wait."

The couple sparked engagement rumours earlier this year when Ingrid was spotted wearing an emerald ring on her finger.

Celebrity pals rushed to congratulate the happy couple.

Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire wrote: "A. MAZE. ING. So many congratulations to you both! How wonderful."

Aled Jones wrote: "Congratulations to you both x"

Chelcee Grimes added: "Congratulations Richard!!!!"

The happy news follows Richard announcement that he is leaving Pointless so that he can focus more on writing.

Richard revealed his departure via a tweet to his 1.1m followers in April

Richard's debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, has sold more than a million copies and Steven Spielberg has now bought the film rights.

John Bett

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