Richard Osman controversy explained after breaking rule on BBC show

Richard Osman confessed to making a serious error while appearing on Michael McIntyre's celebrity quiz show The Wheel

Richard Osman caused controversy when he broke a huge rule on the BBC One show The Wheel.

The 53-year-old presenter and author is set to appear on Saturday’s episode of the hit game show, hosted by Michael McIntyre, but the lofty TV star claimed he had gone against a request by producers while filming. During an episode of his podcast Rest Is Entertainment, he recalled to his co-host Marina Hyde that he was advised by producers not to "sing along" to the lyrics of songs featured during the episode.

Music is played when the wheel in the studio, which features celebrity 'experts' sitting around the huge circle assisting a series of contestants in answering questions to win huge cash prizes, is spun. Sometimes The Wheel's iconic theme music is played, but on other occasions well-known songs by high-profile artists are also featured.

Richard went on to credit composer Paul Farrer, who created The Wheel’s jazzy theme song, and is also the brains behind the music choices on the hit show. “The music is incredible. The wheel music is absolutely amazing,” he gushed, however he admitted to breaking one important rule during his stint on the show, which caused a major headache for producers.

“The one thing [producers] said was 'don't sing along with the lyrics of the songs when you go round' because I think they can't use it if you're mouthing the lyrics. I mouthed along to every single one,” he laughed. “I'm not sure if they can use me - I absolutely couldn't help myself.”

His co-host Marina joked he could be “the £300,000 guest”, as she hinted Richard had probably cost the show money in royalties.

“[It would] literally cost them millions but it was really a lovely experience,” Richard added. Celebrities and contestants have been spotted singing along to the theme song, but the camera usually pans away from them if a well-known song that has been in the charts is played instead, in an effort to avoid paying out royalties to artists.

Richard, who was the former co-host of Pointless and presenter of House of Games, then heaped praise on comedian Michael, as he commended his “constant energy” while fronting the game show. “He's so brilliant. He's brilliant with the punters. He's brilliant with the celebrity experts. He absolutely drives that show through,” he said, as he claimed Michael gave a “masterclass” in presenting. “Y'know you need constant energy on that show and he just is incredible.”

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