Richard Osman and Bill Bailey Honoured at Windsor Castle Investiture

Richard Osman and Bill Bailey Receive Royal Honours at Windsor Castle

Bestselling author and television personality Richard Osman joined comedian and musician Bill Bailey in receiving prestigious royal honours at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, as Princess Anne presided over a glittering investiture ceremony.

Osman Recognised for Literature and Broadcasting

Osman, widely celebrated as the creative force behind the phenomenally popular Thursday Murder Club novel series and a former long-standing co-host of beloved BBC quiz shows Pointless and House of Games, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to literature and broadcasting.

Following the ceremony, Osman spoke warmly about his conversation with Princess Anne, describing it as "a nice chat" centred around writing and quiz culture. Reflecting on the honour, he expressed deep pride in his British roots.

"I'm very proud of the opportunities this country gave me. I'm very proud of growing up in a country that's full of writers and funny people and creative people," he told the Press Association. "I owe this country an awful lot, and I intend to pay as much of that back as I can."

Osman, 55, spent 13 years developing and co-hosting Pointless before pivoting to fiction writing in 2020. His Thursday Murder Club series — which follows a group of retired residents in a Kent village who band together to investigate real crimes — has grown to six books and captured readers worldwide. The franchise recently made its way to Netflix in a major film adaptation starring Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. Additionally, actor Michael Sheen was confirmed earlier this year as Osman's successor on BBC Two's House of Games.

Bill Bailey Made MBE for Services to Entertainment

Comedian, actor, and musician Bill Bailey was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his significant contribution to the entertainment industry. Bailey, a Somerset native, first rose to prominence in the mid-1990s and went on to host his own BBC comedy programme, Is It Bill Bailey?, before earning cult status as the lovable Manny in Channel 4's beloved sitcom Black Books, which aired from 2000 to 2004.

Over the years, Bailey has become a familiar and popular face on British panel shows, including Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and QI. In 2020, at the age of 55, he made television history by becoming the oldest contestant ever to win Strictly Come Dancing.

Both Osman and Bailey were named in the King's New Year Honours list prior to Tuesday's ceremony.

Other Notable Recipients

Celebrity chef and MasterChef: The Professionals judge Marcus Wareing also received an MBE, honoured for his exceptional services to the culinary arts and broadcasting. The Michelin-starred Southport chef, 55, began his career as a teenager at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London and has since built an impressive portfolio of acclaimed restaurants. Wareing notably prepared a custard tart for the late Queen Elizabeth II during her 80th birthday celebrations in 2006.

Olympic rock climbing champion Toby Roberts, who claimed gold in the boulder and lead event at the Paris 2024 Games, was also among those receiving an MBE at Tuesday's investiture.