Richard Osman, best-selling author of the hit series of novels ‘Thursday Murder Club’ and former presenter of ‘Pointless’ and ‘House of Games’, was one of the most prominent figures to receive an OBE (Order of the British Empire), one of the UK’s most prestigious civilian honours, for outstanding contributions to public life. Comedian and musician Bill Bailey and celebrity chef Marcus Wareing were also among those recognized at the event.
Richard Osman receiving his OBE
According to a report by the BBC, Osman received the honor for services to literature and broadcasting, Bailey, who won ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in 2020, received an MBE for services to entertainment, and Wareing received an MBE for services to culinary arts and broadcasting. After the event, he told the Press Association that he was “very proud to be British” and spoke warmly of the opportunities the country had given him.“I’m very proud to have grown up in a country full of writers and fun, creative people,” she said. “I owe this country an awful lot, and I intend to pay that back as much as I can,” he said.After hosting “Pointless” for 13 years, Osman, 55, turned his attention to fiction, releasing the first episode of his “Thursday Murder Club” series in 2020. The six books follow a group of pensioners in a Kent town who come together to solve murders, and have become a publishing phenomenon. Last year, the story was adapted into a film starring Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. In March, it was also announced that actor Michael Sheen would replace Osman as host of ‘House of Games’.
Achievements of Bill Bailey and Marcus Wareing
Bailey broke through in the mid-1990s and went on to host his own comedy show from 2000 to 2004 before appearing as the character Manny on the beloved sitcom ‘Black Books’. Over the years he has appeared regularly on the popular shows ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’, ‘Have I Got News for You’ and ‘Q News for You’. In 2020, aged 55 at the time, she made history by becoming the oldest winner of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.Wareing, also 55, began his culinary career as a teenager at London’s Savoy, before establishing several successful Michelin-starred restaurants. He is also known as a judge on ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’. In 2006, he served a custard to the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of her 80th birthday celebrations.
