It's another Champions Week on Richard Osman's House of Games. This week's foursome competing for those juicy prizes with Richard's face on them are Steve Pemberton, Steve Backshall, Sam Quek and Rachel Riley.

It's going to be difficult to pick a winner out of this quizzing quartet. We already know that Rachel Riley has brains to spare because of her job on Countdown. But Steve Pemberton is certainly not to be underestimated. I've written before about how comedians seem to have a brain that is perfectly suited for the kind of condundrums that Richard Osman – or whoever sets the questions – comes up with.

And in fact Pemberton has previously shown off his smarts on his award-winning series with Reece Shearsmith, Inside No 9. One grisly episode, Riddle of the Sphinx, was all about a crossword obsessive, played by Pemberton.

Off-screen Pemberton is a big fan of crosswords and as well as setting one for the episode in question he has also dabbled in crosswords and set them for newspapers in real life. So if anyone knows a thing or two about cryptic wordplay it's Pemberton. 

Comedy fans will, of course also know him for the sun-soaked ITV comedy Benidorm and he has also appeared in a variety of TV programmes including The Power of Parker, Alma's Not Normal and The Cleaner. He also had a straight role in Hack, playing media mogul Rupert Murdoch and he also played Robbie Williams' father in the film of Williams' life in which the pop star was played by a monkey. 

In case you hadn't heard, Richard Osman is leaving House of Games soon. Steve Pemberton and Rachel Riley would both be good candidates to take over from him - big shoes to fill of course. Update - though what do I know - the new host has just been announced and you'll never guess...click here for the answer.

Richard Osman's House of Games, Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 20, 6pm, BBC Two. 

Picture Credit: BBC/Remarkable TV/Graeme Hunter