Alexander Armstrong admits Richard Osman leaving Pointless felt like "the grown-ups had gone".
Alexander Arnold 'misses' Richard Osman on Pointless
The 56-year-old presenter has fronted the popular BBC quiz show since 2009, and for the first 27 series he was joined by Richard until he stepped back in 2022 to focus on his writing career, with guest hosts stepping in for subsequent seasons.
Reflecting on the last few years, Alexander told new! magazine: "There's not a show when I don't really miss him, because he's, among other things, just fabulous company and very funny.
"But there was a sense that the grown-ups had gone. Richard was part of the DNA of the show and part of the team that created it.
"So once Richard had gone, I could do what I liked with the show, which I'm sure he would have allowed me to do while we were doing it."
Meanwhile, Richard, 55, also recently announced he was stepping down from his own House of Games quiz show after nine years and more than 800 episodes.
Speaking on his podcast The Rest is Entertainment, he said: "It will no longer be Richard Osmond's House of Games. It will be somebody else's House of Games.
"And I gladly hand over the keys."
As well as his successful Thursday Murder Club novel series - which was adapted into a movie with Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie and Pierce Brosnan - Richard has another cosy crime book series, We Solve Murders.
The star admitted he is quitting House of Games to make way for more writing, but said he will be "gutted" when he no longer makes the quiz show.
It's since been confirmed that Michael Sheen, 57, will replace him as host.
In a statement, he quipped: "Quite literally very large shoes to fill, but as a huge fan of the show I’m incredibly excited to be able to move into the House and at long last see my silhouette on a fondue set.”
BBC commissioning executive Caroline O’Neill added: “We’re delighted to have Michael Sheen stepping into the House of Games.
"His charisma and passion for playfulness will be a joy for audiences and we’ve no doubt he’ll relish throwing himself into a fiercely fought Answer Smash.
“We can’t wait to share this next era of the show with viewers at home.”
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