Culture

Richard Osman has disclosed the unexpected reason behind his departure from the popular show Child Genius

December, 24, 2024-03:35

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin | Visits: 57842 | :2821

---

Richard Osman has disclosed the unexpected reason behind his departure from the popular show Child Genius:

The 54-year-old left his role as host of the program in 2019. Child Genius debuted in 2013 and enjoyed six successful seasons. Recently, the television presenter discussed the show, noting that the editing made the parents of the contestants appear overly ambitious, whereas the reality was quite different. On The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Richard stated, "Ultimately, I decided to stop doing it. The children were incredible on that show."

He continued, "They were fantastic, and interestingly, nearly all the parents were wonderful too." Richard elaborated, "Most parents were simply sitting there wondering what they had on their hands. Some of the children were extremely competitive, and the parents were competitive as well, which I enjoyed." He then criticized Channel 4, mentioning that "the show was edited in a way that made the parents seem like helicopter parents." He added, "One pair on set shared a remarkable bond, but the father was depicted as a helicopter parent in the show's editing."

Helicopter parenting describes parents who are excessively involved and controlling in their children's lives, akin to a helicopter hovering over them. In 2019, Richard announced on social media that he would be stepping down from his role on Child Genius, stating, "I’ve decided this is my final year on the show; it's time for someone else to take a turn! But it’s a fantastic program. Enjoy!"
Over the years, Richard has hosted several game shows, including BBC's Pointless and Pointless Celebrities, both of which have garnered a loyal following. He also makes guest appearances on The One Show.