Richard Osman opens up on debilitating health condition that's impacted TV career

Richard Osman has opened up about a life-long eye condition that has impacted his career, and ability to drive. The House of Games host was born with nystagmus, which is described by the NHS as an involuntary, usually constant eye movement.

Often described as wobbling or dancing eyes, the website adds that it typically results in some degree of visual loss.

Richard, 54, says the condition "is essentially an inability to focus" which means he "constantly" has to move from left to right.

He shared: "I see the world as if I was driving in dense fog, although I can't drive.

"I can see that there are things there, but everything is blurred. Nothing has sharp definition. Lights have huge halos that blind you. I've had it since birth so that's all I know."

The presenter went on to say that due to not being able to read what was written on the blackboard at school, he became "unbelievably good" at listening.

For his career as a host, he's also had to adapt his ways in a bid to front his shows.

"I've learnt to maximise what I've got. I can't read an autocue, which means I have to be more reactive to what's going on," he added to The i Paper.

According to Moorfields Eye Hospital, around one in 1,500 suffer from the condition.

The website also states that it can be hereditary, but there are also many other reasons why people may have it.

It adds that nystagmus cannot be cured, however glasses and contact lenses might help improve vision.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People additionally states that some of the underlying conditions which cause nystagmus may be treatable.

Richard previously told fans about his condition, after viewers were left concerned about his movements on screen in 2013.

Many claimed that the host was "shaking", which led to suggestions that he could be suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

Writing on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the ex Pointless host shared: "And for anyone asking, I promise I wasn't shaking.

"I have a condition called nystagmus which makes my eyes constantly flicker."

Richard has also been open about his struggles with an eating addiction, which he believes stemmed from his father leaving during his childhood.

Sharing an honest insight into how he has coped with it, he confessed that he doubts there will ever be a day when he doesn't have it.

As a guest on Gyles Brandreth's Rosebud podcast, he said: "I don't think I'd ever be out of it - out of it for sure. But certainly, yeah, I'm comfortable with everything at the moment. But I know it'll come back."

Richard went on to say he has sought help from a therapist, who has provided further clarity on the situation.

He added: "I talk to Bruce [his therapist] about it all the time and he says, 'Well, you're always going to be an addict. You can't [stop being one] because you started when you were nine. You're not suddenly going to not be one'."