As the creator of one of the most acclaimed detective novels ever, it’s hardly surprising that Richard Osman has found an ideal partner in real life. 

During the premiere of his upcoming Netflix movie The Thursday Murder Club at London’s Leicester Square last night, his wife, Ingrid Oliver, captured attention in a dazzling red dress. 

Richard, 54, and Ingrid, 48, wed in 2022 after meeting on his BBC Two show House Of Games two years earlier, charming fans with photos from their ‘un-showbizzy’ wedding and stories about their genuine bond. 

The forthcoming film, produced by Stephen Spielberg and featuring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, has elevated the former Pointless presenter to new levels of success, following the book’s sale of millions of copies. 

Yet, as Richard, who has two children from a past marriage, suggested in 2021, his wife has been the last puzzle piece he needed, stating: ‘I’m content with myself, I’ve got wonderful kids, and I’ve met the woman I’m going to be with for life.’ 

The couple are now the image of marital bliss and live together in the leafy borough of Chiswick in west London. 

Their romantic journey has resonated with fans, as Richard confessed he ‘longed’ for Ingrid for over a year before finally asking her on a date, eventually changing her mind about not wanting to marry. 

‘I was aware of Ingrid from social media and thought she was very funny, but beyond a single tweet we’d never communicated,’ he told The Sunday Times in July.

‘I asked our mutual friend, the comedian Lou Sanders, to check if Ingrid was available. She wasn’t. Twelve months later, in 2021, Ingrid was a guest on my quiz show House of Games. 

‘This time Lou told me Ingrid was available, so I spent a long day in front of the cameras desperately trying not to flirt. I made eye contact less with her than any other guest ever.’ 

He told the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine: ‘I liked her very much but I never socialise after shows because I’ve got another one the next day.

‘Happily [rowing Olympian] Matthew Pinsent was on the same show, he’s such a lovely fella, and he said, ”Let’s go for drinks,”’ and I said, ”You know, this evening I think I will”.’

Richard, who has in the past been dubbed the nation’s ‘weird crush’, admitted that he immediately knew that he and Ingrid would walk down the aisle, telling the publication: ‘It was never not going to happen.

‘It was a very pleasant surprise, but we were both ready for it. Our hearts were open, and if your heart’s open the opportunity is there.’

Osman exchanged vows with the actress in 2022 following a whirlwind romance that began two years earlier, when she featured as a guest on his popular House Of Games TV series. 

Sharing a stunning snap of their wedding, Osman called it at the time: ‘The most magical, joyful day on Saturday with my beautiful wife. Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, a day full of love and laughter. We’re so, so happy’ 

Osman previously told HELLO magazine of their meeting: ‘Ingrid came on House of Games. I knew who she was through social media. We’d never met – I had never met her. I had a little twinkle in my eye, I’ll admit that. 

‘She came on, we filmed that day together. Our first date is completely on camera. After filming, I was thinking, “How can I ask her for a drink, this is difficult.”‘

Appearing on the Christmas Day edition of Desert Island Discs in 2022, he said: ‘I’m happy with myself, I’ve got these beautiful kids, I’ve met the woman who I’m going to be with for the rest of my life.

‘That thing of competition and ambition, you soon realise that rocket fuel disappears and it’s about happiness and my kids bring me happiness and Ingrid brings me happiness.’

The presenter admitted he was already interested in Oliver – best known for her former role as Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who – through their previous interactions on social media. 

Already a father of two from a former relationship, Osman had turned to therapy in an attempt to address an addiction to food and confront his negative body image, but remained hopeful that ‘the right person was out there’ before finally meeting Oliver. 

‘I got to a point where I was happy in myself and my work but my therapist said, “You won’t finish your journey until you’re in a relationship.”’ he recalled. 

‘He was right. I’ve always wanted to be part of a team.’ 

The couple moved in together just weeks after meeting on set, but the actress admits she was initially reticent about the prospect of exchanging vows after seeing her parents marry ‘eight times in total between them’ during a tumultuous childhood. 

She said: ‘I’d seen marriages not working, so I never wanted to make that commitment unless I knew for sure.’  

Unbeknownst to Osman, the actress had also embarked on a failed IVF journey the year before they met. 

‘When Richard first asked Lou if I was single, I was. I was aware of him from Twitter and the telly, and I thought he was a lovely, kind, clever man, but I’d decided to try IVF and thought, I can’t do this if I’m dating,’ she recalled. 

‘But even then – and I don’t want to sound stalkerish — I had an inkling we’d get together later. I tried IVF three times (it was brutal) before accepting defeat. When Richard got back in touch, I’d made my peace with that process and was ready to move on.’ 

Their relationship finally became public knowledge in November 2021, when they stepped out together holding hands in London during a shopping trip.

Appearing on the Christmas Day edition of Desert Island Discs a month later, in December 2021, Richard revealed his plan to commit longterm to Ingrid.

He said: ‘I’m happy with myself, I’ve got these beautiful kids, I’ve met the woman who I’m going to be with for the rest of my life.

‘That thing of competition and ambition, you soon realise that rocket fuel disappears and it’s about happiness and my kids bring me happiness and Ingrid brings me happiness.’ 

The TV star – who shares two adult children with his ex – also sweetly dedicated classic Erasure track A Little Respect to his new love, Ingrid.

In April 2022, the couple sparked rumours of a marriage proposal, when Ingrid was pictured wearing an emerald ring on her wedding finger. 

And just a month later, Richard confirmed his engagement to the Doctor Who actress Ingrid Oliver, which came two years after they began their relationship.

The Pointless host revealed the engagement news during an interview with fellow novelist Marion Keyes for The Guardian.

Asked by Keyes if he was getting married, Richard confirmed: ‘Yes, exciting, isn’t it?!’ 

Even before her relationship with Richard began in earnest, there were signs that Ingrid respected his opinion. 

When she asked her Twitter followers in May 2020 if she should watch Contagion, a film about a pandemic, the result was split until Richard wrote: ‘Don’t watch it.’

She replied: ‘This is very authoritative and convincing,’ to which he responded:: ‘I just felt that was what you were looking for,’ and Ingrid confirmed: ‘You felt right.’

And fans soon picked up on the interaction, with one posting: ‘You’re in there my son’ – and they were correct.

Richard finalised his divorce from his former wife (whose identity he has never revealed) in 2007 and shares two adult children with her: daughter Ruby, 24, and son Sonny, 22.

Prior to his romance with Ingrid, the TV host dated jazz singer Sumudu Jayatilaka and Absolute Radio host Emily Dean, although both relationships were short-lived. 

Richard and Ingrid, meanwhile, have gone from strength to strength. 

He has fondly reminisced on the episode where they met since, writing in 2023: Richard said: ‘My favourite repeat week of all-time on #HouseOfGames this week. The first time I met my wife. @ingridoliver100 ❤️❤️’ 

Meet The Richardsons writer Lucy Beaumont commented: ‘Aw we watched it trying to look for subtle clues! How romantic x’ to which Richard replied ‘Hah!’ 

In November last year, Ingrid shared a sweet carousel of pictures to Instagram for his birthday, writing: ‘Happy birthday for yesterday to the light of my life, man of dreams, unicorn husband that is @richardosman. You give me so much. And I gave you norovirus.’

And in June, as the couple attended Wimbledon together, they were once again the very image of loved-up, even wearing matching pink outfits for the occasion. 

But the fact that the former Pointless host is finally off the market has caused devastation to some – who have long branded him their ‘weird crush’. 

In 2011, Richard was even announced the winner of Heat Magazine’s annual Weird Crush award, joining previous winners Derren Brown and Jeremy Clarkson. 

He said at the time: ‘I’m about 50 per cent honoured and 50 per cent embarrassed. I’m not sure whether it means I’m the best weird crush – or the weirdest crush.’ 

Previously appearing on Loose Women, he joked that he ‘cashes in’ on being a weird celebrity crush and said he felt ‘half appalled and half delighted’ to have been given such a title. 

And speaking to the Mail On Sunday in 2017, he said: ‘The theory is, being a funny guy is like being a beautiful woman. And I suppose being on telly you get advertised more. What I do know is, it’s all very peculiar for me.’ 

On online forums such as Mumsnet, people have admitted: ‘He is my weird crush. The combination of intelligence and humour is a winner for me.’ 

Another added: ‘I’m with you there – there is definitely something about him. I absolutely would.’

Ingrid – the daughter of Conservative MP Jo Gideon – attended the selective Tiffin Girls’ School in Surrey and won praise for her BBC sketch show Watson & Oliver with school friend Lorna Watson before winning a role in Doctor Who. 

She rose to prominence as one half of comic double act Watson & Oliver with pal Lorna Watson, after the duo met at school.

The pair have performed a number of sell-out shows during festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe.

Then turning to acting, the beauty has had a number of cameo parts in many British classics during her early career – with extra parts in shows such as Doc Martin and Peep Show.

She then appeared as teacher Miss Stamp in 2008 chick-flick Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, before portraying the character of Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who’s The Day Of The Doctor episode in 2013.

Ingrid reprised this Doctor Who role in three further episodes of the iconic show a year later.

And making a move from TV to the big screen, Ingrid landed a role in 2019 Hollywood film The Hustle, which featured Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as leading ladies.

She played the role of Inspector Brigitte Desjardins in the film, and was tasked with doing a French accent for the role.

The Thursday Murder Club centers on a witty group of retirees who spend their days in a peaceful retirement community – bonding over their shared hobby of solving cold cases. 

But their quiet pastime takes a thrilling turn when they stumble upon a fresh murder mystery that demands their attention.

Helen leads the cast as Elizabeth, a sharp ex-spy with a knack for uncovering secrets.

Pierce plays Ron, a former union activist with a passionate spirit, while Ben Kingsley portrays Ibrahim, an insightful ex-psychiatrist.

Celia Imrie rounds out the group as Joyce, a compassionate ex-nurse who balances the team.

The Thursday Murder Club was released in cinemas today and is due to come to Netflix on August 28.