Richard Osman’s wife is Ingrid Oliver. The couple married on December 3, 2022, at Goodwood House in West Sussex . Osman, the former Pointless co-host and bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club series, met Oliver when she appeared as a contestant on his BBC quiz show Richard Osman’s House of Games .
Ingrid Oliver is a British actress and comedian, born in 1977, making her 49 years old . She is best known for playing Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who between 2013 and 2015, including the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor . Oliver is also one half of the comedy duo Watson & Oliver with Lorna Watson, and has appeared in Peep Show, Silent Witness, Beyond Paradise, and Rivals . At 5’7″, she is a foot shorter than Osman, who stands at 6’7″ .
Osman first became aware of Oliver through social media and found her “very funny,” but they had only exchanged a single tweet . In 2020, he asked their mutual friend, comedian Lou Sanders, to check if Oliver was single, but she was not available at the time . A year later, in 2021, Oliver appeared as a guest on House of Games, and Sanders informed Osman that she was now available .
Osman has admitted he spent the entire filming day “desperately trying not to flirt” with her . The moment that changed everything came during a quiz question when he asked for “two rhyming answers: a musical instrument filled with rice played by shaking, and the capital of Venezuela” . Oliver buzzed in with “Maracas and Caracas” . Osman later said he was “instantly smitten,” describing her as “beautiful, funny and clever” .
Fellow contestant Matthew Pinsent, the Olympic rower, suggested they all go for drinks after filming, which gave Osman the opportunity to get Oliver’s phone number that night . Osman has said they have been “in each other’s pockets ever since” . He dedicated his third novel, The Bullet That Missed, to Oliver with the words “I was waiting for you” .
The couple moved in together in October 2021 . Osman confirmed their engagement in May 2022 during an interview with novelist Marian Keyes . They married on December 3, 2022, at Goodwood House . Osman announced the news on Twitter, writing: “The most magical, joyful day on Saturday with my beautiful wife @ingridoliver100. Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, a day full of love and laughter. We’re so, so happy” .
On Desert Island Discs in December 2021, Osman spoke about his relationship with Oliver, saying: “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” . He also said: “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” .Quick Bio: Ingrid Oliver
Oliver has been open about her personal journey before meeting Osman. She revealed that she had tried IVF three times before accepting defeat, describing the process as “brutal” . She said: “When Richard got back in touch, I’d made my peace with that process and was ready to move on” . Oliver has also spoken about her initial hesitation regarding marriage, explaining that her parents married “eight times in total between them” during her childhood . She said: “I’d seen marriages not working, so I never wanted to make that commitment unless I knew for sure” .
Osman has two grown-up children from his first marriage to jazz singer Sumudu Jayatilaka, which ended in 2007 . His daughter Ruby and son Sonny are now adults . Oliver is their stepmother . Richard and Ingrid do not have children together .
Ingrid Oliver appears in the film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club, playing the role of Joanna, the daughter of Joyce Meadowcroft . Osman revealed on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment that this casting was not his idea, but that of director Chris Columbus . The film stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie . Osman has said that meeting Ingrid was “the best thing that ever happened to me” .
The couple live together in south-west London with their cats . Osman has described his contentment with their home life, saying: “I’m happy at home with my wife and the cats and the snooker. I find contentment very easy” . Ingrid has described herself as a “catastrophiser” who worries that their happiness might not last, while Osman is “incredibly relaxed” and helps her manage her anxiety . Osman has reflected on their partnership, saying: “You like someone because of their strengths but you fall in love with them because of their weaknesses, and if you can help with each other’s, you’ve got it made” .
Richard Osman’s wife is Ingrid Oliver, a British actress and comedian best known for playing Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who . The couple married on December 3, 2022, at Goodwood House in West Sussex .
Who Is Ingrid Oliver?
Born in 1977, Oliver is a seasoned performer with credits across television and film . Beyond Doctor Who, she appeared in Peep Show and Silent Witness . She is also one half of the comedy duo Watson & Oliver . At 5’7″, she stands a foot shorter than Osman, who is 6’7″ .
How Did They Meet?
The couple met in 2020 while filming Richard Osman’s House of Games . Osman later described that episode as their “first date” . Fellow contestant Matthew Pinsent suggested drinks after filming, which sparked their relationship .
When Did They Get Engaged and Married?
Osman confirmed their engagement in May 2022 . They wed seven months later at Goodwood House, the Duke of Richmond’s West Sussex estate .
Does Richard Osman Have Children?
Yes. Osman shares two grown-up children, Ruby and Sonny, with his first wife . He and Oliver do not have children together .
