Desert Island Discs: Richard Osman

DESERT ISLAND DISCS: RICHARD OSMAN (320kbs-m4a/79mb/34mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 26th December 2021

Richard Osman is a broadcaster, TV producer and writer who co-presents the quiz show Pointless on BBC One. His first novel, The Thursday Murder Club, was a publishing phenomenon, selling more than a million copies, and the follow-up became one of the fastest-selling titles since records began.

Richard grew up in Haywards Heath in West Sussex and his early passion for television led to him devising quiz shows and programme formats from a young age. After graduating from university he worked for a number of production companies where he helped to develop and produce shows including Total Wipeout, Deal or No Deal and 8 out of 10 Cats.

In 2009 Richard became a co-presenter of Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong. It was not his intention to move in front of the camera, but he was given the job after taking on the role of co-host while the show was being developed.

In 2020 Richard published his debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, the story of four friends in a retirement community who band together to solve cold cases. It was an instant hit, selling 45,000 copies in its first three days on sale. Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights.

Richard lives in London and is writing his third novel featuring his resourceful retirees.

BOOK CHOICE: Hercule Poirot: the Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
LUXURY ITEM: A pad of paper, a pen and dice
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: DISC FOUR: You Can't Stop The Beat by the cast of Hairspray

Presenter Lauren Laverne
Producer Paula McGinley

Morecambe & Wise - Bring Me Sunshine [EMI]
Suede - Metal Mickey [Nude]
Doug Wood Group - Drag Racer (BBC Snooker Theme) [BBC]
The Cast Of Hairspray - You Can't Stop The Beat [Decca]
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine [Epic]
Estelle (Feat. Kanye West) - American Boy [Atlantic]
Future Islands - Ran [4AD]
Erasure - A Little Respect [Mute]