Another 210 instalments ordered

Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman are to host another 210 episodes of Pointless.

The BBC has ordered a mammoth 165 daytime and 45 primetime celebrity episodes of the hit gameshow.

The commission will take the  total number of episodes to more than 1,000 – with the landmark edition going out later this year – and will keep new programmes coming  through to the end of 2017.

The consolidated average for Pointless, when on-demand viewing is included, stands at 3.29 million viewers for the current series,  while Pointless Celebrities on Saturday nights attracts an  average of 4.6 million.

Armstrong said: ‘I can’t tell you how exciting it is for Richard and me to get a big recommission like this! I imagine it’s probably fairly obvious how much we love making it - but to pass the 1,000th episode mark is a great tribute to a show that so many people work so hard on. Long may it prosper!’

Osman added: ‘I’m so delighted that the ridiculous rise and rise of Pointless continues. I can’t wait to get back into the studio with my TV husband Xander. I’m also excited to see what our sneaky producers have got lined up for our 1000th episode. ’

Dan McGolpin, controller BBC Daytime said: ‘Pointless continues to make a mockery of its own name, entertaining and educating millions of viewers, forming a crucial part of their day’

Internationally, Pointless has been adapted for broadcasters in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and across Central and Eastern Europe. 

The show, which launched in 2009, is made by Remarkable Television, part of the  Endemol Shine  group whose slate includes Big Brother, Black Mirror, Benidorm, Would I Lie to You? and 8 out of 10 Cats.

Published: 23 Feb 2016