Richard Osman, the beloved television personality turned best-selling author, has made a significant leap in his residential circumstances, trading his former £1 million Chiswick home for a magnificent £9 million townhouse in London. This exclusive property acquisition marks a new chapter for Osman and his wife, Doctor Who actress Ingrid Oliver, following the cinematic success of his debut novel.
A Spectacular Property Upgrade
The couple are now joint owners of a sprawling five-bedroom, four-storey mid-terrace Georgian home, boasting a substantial living area of 4,456 square feet. While the frontage presents a somewhat conventional period appearance, the interior has undergone a spectacular modern transformation. A state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area feature huge glass doors that open directly onto the garden, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
Architectural Marvels and Panoramic Vistas
Upstairs, the property includes a large contemporary bathroom and an impressive master suite accessed via a gangway, with glass walls offering breathtaking views. The most remarkable feature, however, is the panoramic outlook across the meandering River Thames—a landscape immortalised by artists like Constable, Turner, Reynolds, and Gainsborough. This "unrivalled landscape" holds the unique distinction of being the only view in England protected by an Act of Parliament, passed in 1902 to prevent housing development on the opposite riverbank.
From Game Shows to Global Acclaim
Osman's property upgrade coincides with his remarkable career evolution. The 55-year-old, who stands at six feet seven inches, first gained public attention as the sidekick on the BBC game show Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong in 2009. After studying politics and sociology at Cambridge University, he worked at production company Endemol as an executive producer, scriptwriter, and creative director on shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats and Deal Or No Deal.
He left Endemol in 2020 and departed Pointless in 2022 after 13 years to focus on his writing career. His pivot has proven spectacularly successful: Steven Spielberg purchased the rights to Osman's first crime novel, The Thursday Murder Club, transforming it into a big-budget Netflix film starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. Oliver herself played the role of Joanna Meadowcroft in the adaptation.
A Modern Love Story
The couple's relationship began in 2021 when Oliver appeared as a guest on Osman's BBC Two celebrity quiz show, Richard Osman's House of Games. Their meeting was facilitated by Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent, who persuaded Osman to join them for post-show drinks. Osman had previously admired Oliver from afar, having exchanged a single social media message a year earlier when she was undergoing IVF treatment.
They moved in together just weeks after meeting and went public with their relationship in November 2021. In December 2022, they married in a "magical" ceremony at Goodwood House in West Sussex, requesting charitable donations to the Book Trust instead of gifts, raising £9,789. Osman described the day as "very un-showbizzy" and full of love and laughter.
Settling Into an Iconic Location
Osman and Oliver are now quietly settling into their new home with their rescue cats, Liesl and Lottie. The street has historically attracted notable residents, including Sir Mick Jagger, fellow Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, and The Who guitarist Pete Townshend. However, Osman has openly discussed finding transitional periods challenging, telling co-presenter Marina Hyde on a podcast towards the end of last year that he becomes "very, very discombobulated" during such times. He even complained about furniture delivery schedules, noting a 16-week wait for new sofas.
Despite these minor upheavals, the couple appear content. Osman continues to present House of Games, while Oliver—the daughter of a German father and former Conservative MP Jo Gideon—has described her husband as "the light of my life, man of dreams, unicorn husband." Their £9 million townhouse, with its protected views and modern luxuries, represents both their professional success and personal happiness, marking a substantial upgrade from their previous Chiswick residence.
