Richard Osman has been very open about his struggles with food addiction and his ‘years of therapy’ – which was made all the more difficult by his ‘shame’
Richard Osman received some straight-talking guidance from his therapist as he grappled with food addiction and the discomfort of “feeling too tall.” The ex-Pointless star sought professional help in his 30s to confront his issues with eating.
The chart-topping writer opened up on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs about how food addiction lacks the “doomed glamour” associated with alcohol and drugs. Yet, he confesses that his own battle was “identical” to that of an alcoholic.
Richard spoke candidly about the “shame” and “secrecy” that shrouded his addiction. Chatting with host Lauren Laverne, he recounted how he would marvel at friends who could keep chocolate bars “untouched” in their homes.
He accepts that his relationship with food is likely a lifelong challenge, despite having sought therapy. On Radio 4, he shared: “I’m either controlling it or not controlling it at any given time, and these days I control it more often than I don’t, but it’s actually quite hard and sometimes you do slip, but I try my best and I certainly have no shame about it now.”
The creator of The Thursday Murder Club series also reflected on feeling “directionless” during his thirties, even though he was in a stable relationship and a father of two. Richard credits “years of therapy” for bringing him to a place where he is “happy with himself,” reports Coventry Live.
Richard, the TV producer, opened up to The Sunday Times about his personal struggles and the candid guidance he received from his therapist. He shared: “I’d spent years in therapy dealing with food addiction, feeling too tall, feeling like I couldn’t see anything and feeling shame that in Brian Wilson’s words, ‘I wasn’t made for these times.'”
He continued: “I got to a point where I was happy in myself and my work but my therapist said, ‘You won’t finish your journey until you’re in a relationship.’ He was right.”
Richard confessed his long-standing desire to be “part of a team,” a dream that began to materialise in 2022 when he met Doctor Who actress Ingrid Oliver on his show, House of Games.
Despite being aware of Ingrid a year prior, Richard was informed by his friend, comedian Lou Sanders, that she was not available. He found Ingrid “very funny” and, aside from a brief interaction online, they hadn’t spoken much.
Yet, Richard became “smitten” with Ingrid during an episode of House of Games when she responded to his prompt: “I’m looking for two rhyming answers. A musical instrument filled with rice played by shaking, and the capital of Venezuela.”
Ingrid’s quick reply of “Maracas and Caracas” convinced Richard she was “the one.” Their romance blossomed, leading them down the aisle at Goodwood House in West Sussex.
Richard characterised the ceremony as “very un-showbizzy” and shared that it was a gathering of their loved ones. Speaking on Desert Island Discs, Richard expressed: “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.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
