Richard Osman Opens Up About His Struggle with a Hidden Food Addiction That Has 'Taken Over His Life'

RICHARD Osman has revealed his secret food addiction battle that has “dominated his life”.

The popular TV presenter and author, 55, has bravely opened up about his decades long “shameful and bizarre” struggle when it comes to food.

Richard Osman has revealed his secret food addiction Credit: Instagram/@howdoyoucopepod The star bravely opened up about his secret struggle Credit: Instagram/@howdoyoucopepod Richard is a much-loved presenter, known for hosting quiz shows Credit: BBC/Remarkable TV/Matt Frost

said his addiction began when his father left the family for another woman when the star was just nine-years-old.

Speaking on the John Robins’ How Do You Cope? podcast, the TV star said that the addiction had “dominated his life”.

“People will do the maths and work out that from nine-years-old there’s very little that you can control, but one of the things, maybe, is food,” he said.

“So, I’d had that (food addiction) for as long as I could remember.

“It was a huge problem for me, it was secret, it was very, very shameful, and all the other shames about who I am were channeled through that.

“I understood that something was up, and food was the thing that showed me something was up.

“I’m from a background and a generation where I wouldn’t have gone to therapy unless I had a presenting issue. I think if I’d just felt discontented with the world, I wouldn’t have gone to therapy.

“I’d have told myself to buck up or something like that, but because I had this very bizarre relationship with food that became so weird I had to see someone about that particular issue.

“You go to see a therapist about food addiction and of course it’s the last thing he’s interested in, because he knows it’s a symptom of something else, he’s looking into why it is your coping mechanism.”

Richard added: “I’m always happy to talk about food addiction because people are embarrassed about it… I embarrass myself when I talk about it or when I think about my behaviour with food, but there will be people listening to this now who feel the same… it’s been a dominant theme in my life.

“If you can talk to that shame, that’s the only way you can deal with food addiction over a lifetime.”

Richard recently quit the BBC game show House of Games Credit: BBC/Remarkable TV/Matt Frost

Meanwhile, it comes after Richard recently revealed how .

It launched on BBC Two in 2017 and has since become a staple of their early evening schedule.

Richard is set to record one final week of episodes before leaving.

His exit from the programme comes after he also decided to quit the BBC’s in 2022.

Speaking about his decision to quit, he said on his Rest is Entertainment podcast last month, Richard said: “I am leaving House of Games. It will no longer be Richard Osman’s House of Games.

“It will be somebody else’s House of Games. I gladly hand over the keys.”

He added: “I just wanted to go on record saying how much I love it and loved it:”

Richard went on to add in a statement: “It has been such a great pleasure, and honour, to present House of Games for the last nine years, with the absolute best team in television.

“But it’s time to let someone else have a go, and I’m very excited to hand over the House keys to the lucky new host!”

It has since been revealed that star , 57, will replace Richard as host.

The show is currently airing its ninth series and has seen an abundance of celebrity guests over the years – many of whom have returned to take part more than once.

Previously, Richard was co-host of quiz show Pointless alongside Alexander Armstrong.

He left the programme to focus on his work on House of Games as well as hosting his own podcast.

Before becoming an on-screen talent, Richard was one of the leading producers on British TV.

He now also juggles his podcasting role with writing a slew of best-selling books, most notably The Thursday Murder Club series.

Richard is also a best-selling author and podcaster Credit: Alamy