Richard Osman becomes first debut author to land Christmas No 1 thanks to The Thursday Murder Club

Earlier this week he reassured fans that he will continue to host Pointless as he announced that he was leaving Endemol after 20 years.

And now, Richard Osman, 50, has become first debut author to land a Christmas No 1 with his book The Thursday Murder Club, beating titles by former US president Barack Obama and David Walliams to the top spot.

The presenter’s mystery novel sold a whopping 134,514 copies in seven days, according to the sales monitor Nielsen BookScan – more than more than double the number of copies of Obama’s memoir, A Promised Land, which came in at No 2.

 Congratulations! Richard Osman, 50, has become first debut author to land a Christmas No 1

The Pointless host beat David Walliams – who was the No 1 author for three of the last four Christmases – after the comedian’s latest children’s novel, Code Name Bananas, came in at No 3 having sold 55,129 copies.  

Hazel Kenyon, Nielsen Book Research director told The Guardian: ‘Congratulations to Richard Osman on scoring the Christmas No 1 crown.

‘I very much look forward to seeing him now appear as an answer on Pointless to a question on Christmas No 1 bestsellers.’

Richard recently expressed his shock over how Steven Spielberg wants to make a movie about his book The Thursday Murder Club.

Christmas No 1! The presenter's mystery novel sold a whopping 134,514 copies in seven days, according to the sales monitor Nielsen BookScan

Christmas No 1! The presenter’s mystery novel sold a whopping 134,514 copies in seven days, according to the sales monitor Nielsen BookScan

Beating Obama: The Thursday Murder Club more than more than double the number of copies of Obama's memoir, A Promised Land, which came in at No 2

Bananas! David Walliams' children's novel, Code Name Bananas, came in at No 3 having sold 55,129 copies

Stiff competition: The Thursday Murder Club beat titles by former US president Barack Obama (left) and David Walliams (right) to the top spot

UK Top 10 bestsellers, week ending 19 December 2020 

1. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 134,514

2. A Promised Land by Barack Obama 66,531

3. Code Name Bananas by David Walliams 55,129

4. Pinch of Nom: Quick & Easy by Kay Featherstone and Kate Allinson 52,955

5. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy 52,099

6. Guinness World Records 2021 35,229

7. Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart 31,218

8. The Ickabog by JK Rowling 31,159

9. A Del of a Life by David Jason 23,973

10. A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough 23,686 

Speaking on a recent installment of Good Morning Britain he enthused: ‘Spielberg is the greatest film director of all.  

‘I’m the guy who made Total Wipeout and Deal or No Deal, he’s the guy who made Jaws. It’s a boring story [how he found out Spielberg would be making the movie]. I was in the office of someone who sells film rights. I was thrilled.’ 

Richard did say that he has already had a zoom call with Spielberg, as he explained: ‘There’s been lots of chats about it. Spielberg has to cast it.’

Going on to detail the plot, and why it is such a hit, he added: ‘It’s about four people in their seventies. They meet up once a week to solve unsolved murders and one week, there’s a murder on their doorstep.

No way! The news comes after Richard expressed his shock over how Steven Spielberg wants to make a movie about his book The Thursday Murder Club

No way! The news comes after Richard expressed his shock over how Steven Spielberg wants to make a movie about his book The Thursday Murder Club 

Impressed: Discussing the exciting news, he said: Spielberg is the greatest film director of all. I’m the guy who made Total Wipeout and Deal or No Deal, he’s the guy who made Jaws'

Impressed: Discussing the exciting news, he said: Spielberg is the greatest film director of all. I’m the guy who made Total Wipeout and Deal or No Deal, he’s the guy who made Jaws’

Richard’s writing success comes after he took to Twitter on Monday to make the unexpected announcement that he would be stepping down from Endemol, and to reassure fans he will continue to host Pointless. 

Endemol’s creative director also joked that people didn’t even know he had ‘an actual, real job’ aside from his presenting career.

Writing fondly of the TV giant, Richard tweeted: ‘I’ve worked at Endemol since I was 29, but it’s time for me to move on. Will still be doing Pointless/House Of Games and working with brilliant people there. 

Big news! On Monday, Richard announced that he is leaving Endemol after 20 years, and insisted: 'It's time for me to move on!'

Big news! On Monday, Richard announced that he is leaving Endemol after 20 years, and insisted: ‘It’s time for me to move on!’ 

‘But also looking forward to creating new shows with new people. It’s been a wonderful 20 years, and I will miss it very much.’ 

In a follow-up tweet, he added: ‘I’m aware that people who think I’m a TV presenter didn’t even know I had an actual, real job, but there we are.’ 

Essex-born star Richard began his career in 1995, working as a programme associate on Whose Line Is It Anyway? 

He then before an executive producer on a variety of British game shows, including 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Deal Or No Deal and Total Wipeout. 

I will miss it very much: The presenter took to Twitter to to reassure fans he will continue to host Pointless

I will miss it very much: The presenter took to Twitter to to reassure fans he will continue to host Pointless 

Joker: Richard, Endemol’s creative director, also joked that people didn’t even know he had ‘an actual, real job’ aside from his presenting career

Richard began working at TV giant Endemol in 1999 where he became the company’s creative director.  

It was in fact Richard who pitched the idea for Pointless to the BBC, becoming its co-presenter with his former university friend, Alexander Armstrong, when it launched in 2009. 

Although little is known of Richard’s private life, the TV star has a daughter called Ruby, 19, and a son called Sonny, 21, from a previous relationship. His brother is Suede bassist and founding member Mat Osman. 

Firm friends: It was Richard who pitched the idea for Pointless to the BBC, becoming its co-presenter with his former university friend, Alexander Armstrong, when it launched in 2009