Richard Osman has built a career on genial wit and quiet authority, first as co-creator and co-presenter of Pointless, then as a bestselling author, and more recently as co-host of The Rest Is Entertainment podcast. But alongside the success have come moments of public scrutiny and backlash. From his comments on British celebrity culture to the storm surrounding his debut novel, Osman has not always avoided controversy.

Here are some of the most discussed episodes.

In March 2025, Osman sparked criticism following remarks on his podcast about UK viewers' preferences for chat-show guests. He suggested that Oscar winners Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison would not necessarily keep British audiences watching.

"If they appeared on a British chat show," Osman said, "people would probably switch over." He added that comedians such as Sara Pascoe or Greg Davies might be more appealing.

The comments drew strong reactions online. Critics accused him of dismissing international talent, while others defended his view as a reflection of domestic viewing habits.

Osman also addressed the sensitive topic of Richard Gadd's Netflix series Baby Reindeer, which draws on Gadd's experiences of stalking and abuse. The show led to speculation over the identities of real-life figures depicted in the story.

On his podcast, Osman stated that "everyone in the industry" knew who the abuser character was based on, while emphasising that one wrongly identified producer, Sean Foley, had received threats despite being uninvolved.

While Osman's intent was to clarify the situation, some argued that his remarks contributed to the ongoing speculation. Gadd had repeatedly asked fans not to guess, and Osman later stressed the importance of avoiding misidentification.

Osman's debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, was published in 2020 with a seven-figure advance. The cosy crime story about retirees solving murders in a retirement village became a commercial success, but the size of the deal and his celebrity status drew criticism.

Some reviewers argued that his book occupied review space that could have been used for lesser-known authors, while others questioned whether the advance was justified. Osman addressed the criticism on Twitter, noting that the reaction was perhaps inevitable for a television personality moving into fiction.

Despite the controversy, the book sold millions of copies and launched a series, demonstrating the difference between critical reaction and commercial performance.

The reaction to Osman's novel fed into a broader discussion about celebrity authorship. Critics pointed to the advantages of fame in securing publishing deals, while supporters noted that celebrities writing books is a longstanding tradition, dating back to figures such as Thackeray and Trollope.

In Osman's case, his work attracted readers who might not otherwise engage with crime fiction, bringing additional revenue to the publishing industry. While opinions are still divided, his books have proven successful both commercially and in expanding audiences.

Osman has also attracted attention for defending fellow broadcasters, particularly MasterChef host Gregg Wallace. Known for his outspoken style and distinctive presence, Wallace has sometimes faced criticism for being overly direct or theatrical.

In one example, Wallace declined an invitation to appear on Osman's quiz show House of Games, replying simply: "No, I don't do rubbish." Osman later shared the story publicly, humorously framing it as an illustration of Wallace's standards rather than a personal rebuke.

Wallace has explained that he prefers to focus on food-related projects, though he has appeared on shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and MasterChef spin-offs.