Your time starts now: Taskmaster renewed for six more series
By Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Channel 4 has commissioned another six series of comedy game show Taskmaster.
Comedians Greg Davies and Alex Horne will return to helm the hit TV show that follows five celebrity contestants through a series of challenges in order to win back their forfeited possessions.
The new deal will also see Taskmaster Davies and Horne – his “little assistant” front more spin-off specials of the Taskmaster’s New Year Treat and Taskmaster Champion of Champions.
Horne, who created the show, said: “I’m pleased and quite stressed that I’ve got to come up with a lot more tasks for a lot more comedians, but the thought of three more years in Greg’s deep embrace is soothing my little head.”
Davies added: “I am delighted the comedian meat grinder remains open for business.
“I look forward to gleefully keeping it fed with the help of a small, introverted man that I own.”
The Bafta award-winning series launched in 2015 on UKTV’s Dave channel before moving to Channel 4 in 2020.
There have been 20 series – usually two are broadcast each year.
The 21st series starts on April 9 with Pakistani-American comedian and Marvel actor Kumail Nanjiani, The Thick Of It creator Armando Iannucci, Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page, Masked Singer host Joel Dommett and comedian Amy Gledhill the contestants facing all of the Taskmaster’s unusual challenges.
Previous winners include comedians Josh Widdicombe, Katherine Ryan, Bob Mortimer, Dara O Briain and in the last series, Maisie Adams.
It has been adapted internationally, with 13 versions running across the world including in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Tom Beck, Channel 4 head of live events and commissioning editor, said: “Taskmaster is the most creative, funny and frankly ludicrous show on telly.
“I’m delighted to enable their silly brilliance for another three years.”
Executive producer Jon Thoday added: “The brilliance of Alex, Greg, the production team, along with the excellent comedians, keep this show delighting and surprising viewers every series.”