Richard Osman 'found the one' with famous new wife before quitting Pointless

03 August 2023 , 19:30

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Richard Osman 'found the one' with famous new wife before quitting Pointless

Thanks to appearing on some of the nation's biggest TV shows and penning multiple bestselling 'cosy crime' novels, former Pointless star Richard Osman has become one of the country's best-loved celebrities over recent years.

The unlikely heartthrob, 52, who shares two children aged 23 and 25 from a previous marriage, found love with his current wife during the Covid-19 pandemic - marrying Doctor Who star Ingrid Oliver in December last year after the pair went from being just friends to something more.

"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," Richard gushed on the 2021 Christmas Day editor of Desert Island Discs. "'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."

Ingrid is best known for her role as Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who and has previously featured alongside her new boyfriend 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.

Richard Osman and Ingrid Oliver tied the knot last year after finding love in lockdown (Ash Knotek/REX/Shutterstock for BAFTA)

The former Pointless star spoke about his divorce fears shortly before marrying again (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Love blossomed for the pair during the first lockdown, with Richard telling friends at a dinner party after restrictions had lifted that "she is the one". The happy couple went on to tie the knot in December, with Would I Lie To You star Richard sharing a beautiful wedding photo to his 1.2m followers on Twitter at the time.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

The Thursday Murder Club author captioned the snap, "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." Richard has been married once before, with the woman he shares his two children, but they divorced in 2007.

Discussing the divorce in an interview with The Times, Richard explained that he wanted to spend as much time with his children as possible after his dad left home when the TV star was just 10 years old. He told the publication: 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. They know I love them and I tell them nonstop, which bores them rigid. But I never got told that."

In April 2022, Richard devastated Pointless fans when he announced he would be leaving the BBC show after 1,300 episodes across 30 series. In a statement, he said, "Pointless has been a joy from start to finish, working alongside my friend Alexander Armstrong, backed by the most wonderful team, and for the best viewers in the world. I will miss everyone so much, but I'm thrilled I'll still be presenting the celebrity shows. I can't thank everyone enough for 12 amazing years."

His exit was due to his rising success as an author, with his former co-host Alexander Armstrong saying at the time: "Daytime television's loss is international best-selling crime fiction's gain. I say that like it's a consolation - I'm going to miss the big man next to me Monday to Friday. But at least I still get him at weekends - and weekdays if you're watching on Challenge".

Richard was replaced by a series of guest presenters throughout last year, with Stephen Mangan later announced as his permanent successor. Despite quitting the main series of the BBC show, Richard still makes appearances on Pointless Celebrities.

Zoe Delaney