The gameshow returns with a rotating line-up of presenters who’ll be replacing Richard Osman.
The BBC’s long-running gameshow, Pointless, continues to confuse audiences with intricate questions that’ll have everyone scratching their heads.
Every few weeks, Alexander Armstrong will be joined by a new guest host, as they take a seat in Richard Osman’s chair.
Since Osman announced that he was stepping down as Pointless co-host after 14 years, he’s been replaced by a rotating line-up of guest presenters, with the likes of Ed Gamble, Sally Lindsay, Stephen Mangan and others taking his place.
In Osman’s chair this week is Andi Oliver, whose latest episode will air on Monday 8th January.
Earlier last year, the BBC revealed the next round of celebs who will be trying their hand at the quiz show job over the next few months – but who are the eclectic mix of actors, comedians and broadcasters?
Here is everything you need to know about the new Pointless presenters.
Andi Oliver
Andi Oliver is a TV chef and presenter who is best known for her role on the Great British Menu.
While she was previously a member of the band Rip Rig + Panic, she went on to move into broadcasting, presenting shows like Badaas TV, the BBC’s Glastonbury coverage, The Truth About Food, Neneh and Andi Dish It Up, the Sky Arts Book Club and The Selector. She also ran ephemeral restaurant The Moveable Feast before opening her own kitchen The Jackdaw and Star.
On guest-hosting Pointless, Oliver said: “Oh I’m SO excited to be getting to sit in the famous chair next to the delicious Alexander Armstrong! I’ve been on both ends of the Pointless scale, winning AND being booted off first! So I’m rather thrilled that this time I’ve been invited to be in the comfy seat! Sign me up!”
Sally Phillips
Actress and comedian Sally Phillips is the co-creator and star of Smack the Pony and has previously appeared in Jam & Jerusalem, I’m Alan Partridge, Miranda and the Bridget Jones franchise.
She also took on roles in Skins, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Trollied, Friday Night Dinner, and competed in the fifth season of Taskmaster.
On joining the presenter line-up, Phillips said: “I am so looking forward to trying Richard Osman’s big shoes on and being the answer police on Pointless. I am certain the power of the Pointless laptop will go to my head, and I will become insufferable, which I am also really looking forward to.”
Ed Gamble
Ed Gamble is a comedian who has appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News, Mock the Week, Taskmaster and Great British Menu. He is also known for hosting Off Menu with James Acaster, as well as The Peacock and Gamble Podcast.
Gamble begins co-hosting Pointless with Alexander Armstrong from Monday 3rd April onwards.
Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth is a broadcaster and former politician who has appeared on Countdown, Good Morning Britain and Celebrity Gogglebox. He regularly appeared on Countdown’s Dictionary Corner and TV-am’s Good Morning Britain before becoming the Conservative MP for the City of Chester from 1992 until 1997.
He has since published multiple books and appeared on Room 101, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Great Canal Journeys, Bargain Hunt, The One Show, Doctor Who and radio shows like Just a Minute and The Westminster Hour.
On joining the Pointless line-up, Brandreth said: “As a little boy, I dreamed of being one of Santa’s little helpers. I have to tell you, being Xander’s little helper is even more fun. It’s like Christmas every day. I love it.”
Nish Kumar
Nish Kumar is a stand-up comedian who has hosted The Mash Report, Late Night Mash and BBC Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack. He has appeared on Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Big Fat Quiz and other shows.
On joining the line-up, Kumar said: “I can’t wait to sit behind the desk and give out all the clever answers and obscure facts, as if I knew any of them. Richard’s shoes are definitely big ones to fill, but I am looking forward to it very much.”
Lucy Porter
Lucy Porter is an actress and comedian who has performed at Edinburgh Fringe and other stand-up gigs. She has appeared in EastEnders, Annually Retentive, Mock the Week, The Weakest Link, Celebrity Mastermind, Pointless Celebrities and QI.
On joining the line-up, Porter said: “I’m delighted to be joining my favourite TV quiz. I loved Pointless first as a viewer, then as a contestant, and now I’m thrilled to be getting a turn in Richard’s seat. I’m hoping they’ll let me have a go at operating the cameras next.
“I’m looking forward to delivering my favourite catchphrase: ‘And by country we mean a sovereign state that’s a member of the EU in its own right.’”
Ria Lina
Ria Lina is a comedian and actress who has appeared on Mock the Week, Steph’s Packed Lunch, Sky News and Have I Got News For You. She has competed on Celebrity Mastermind and voiced the character Perun in Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
On joining the Pointless line-up, Lina said: “Having been not only an avid fan playing from home, but also a contestant on Celebrity Pointless, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be able to sit in that hallowed chair and finally have all the answers!
“I’m especially looking forward to working with Xander and encouraging as many teams as possible to win that Pointless jackpot.”
Rose Matafeo
New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo is best known for creating and starring in BBC Three’s Starstruck and for appearing on QI, House of Games and Taskmaster.
She recently competed on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off and has previously taken on acting roles in The Breaker Upperers, Baby Done, W1A, Golden Boy and Dead Pixels.
On joining the Pointless guest presenter line-up, Matafeo said: “I am over the moon to be co-hosting Pointless. As an ardent fan of television quiz shows, this is my Everest.
“When I first moved to the UK, I had a lot of time on my hands to watch hours of TV, ingratiating myself into British society with the help of insights I would learn from this nightly poll of 100 people. I also did it to make my friends jealous.”
Vick Hope
Vick Hope is a broadcaster who is best known for hosting BBC Radio 1’s drive time show with Jordan North.
She has previously hosted Capital Breakfast and BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart: First Look, as well as TV shows such as Sky One’s Carnage, I’m a Celebrity… The Daily Drop, the BAFTA Film Awards pre-show red carpet and Britain’s Best Young Artist. In 2019, she competed on Strictly Come Dancing.
On joining the presenting line-up, Hope said: “What an absolute joy to get quizzy at teatime on the most iconic game show around! I love Pointless, am obsessed with trivia and quizzes, and can’t wait to join Xander and the contestants every day from Richard’s hot seat. One very excited pointless co-host incoming…!”
Former guest presenters
Alex Brooker
Alex Brooker is a presenter and comedian who is best known for co-hosting Channel 4’s The Last Leg alongside Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe. He has also hosted The Jump, The Superhumans Show and documentary Alex Brooker: Disability and Me, with the comedian having been born with hand and arm deformities and a twisted right leg that needed amputation.
Brooker co-hosted Pointless from 7th February until 21st February 2023.
Konnie Huq
Konnie Huq is best known for presenting Blue Peter for more than 10 years, before appearing on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Weakest Link, Pointless Celebrities and MI High.
She has also hosted The Xtra Factor, Guinness World Records Smashed, The Daily Politics, King of the Nerds, The One Show and made cameos in Charlie Brooker’s Screen Wipe franchise.
Huq co-hosted Pointless from 23rd January until 6th February this year.
Lauren Laverne
Lauren Laverne is a radio DJ and presenter who rose to fame as a member of the band Kenickie, before branching out into broadcasting. She currently presents BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and has hosted Channel 4’s Alternative Election Night, The Culture Show and appeared on Would I Lie to You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Have I Got News for You.
Laverne co-hosted Pointless from 20th October until 3rd November last year.
Stephen Mangan
Stephen Mangan is an actor and comedian who has starred in hit comedies like Green Wing, I’m Alan Partridge, Episodes and Hang Ups. He has also appeared in The Split, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Have I Got News For You and Jane Hall.
Mangan co-hosted Pointless from 5th October until 19th October last year.
Sally Lindsay
Comedian and actor Sally Lindsay is best known for her roles on Coronation Street, Mount Pleasant, Still Open All Hours and The Madame Blanc Mysteries. Since last year, she has been the host of ITV game show Tenable.
She co-hosted Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong for 11 episodes from September until 4th October.
Pointless continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday 8th January at 5:15pm.