Channel 4 has commissioned another six series of the popular comedy game show Taskmaster. Comedians Greg Davies and Alex Horne will return to helm the hit programme, where five celebrity contestants face challenges to win back their forfeited possessions.
The new deal also includes more spin-off specials, such as Taskmaster’s New Year Treat and Taskmaster Champion Of Champions, featuring Davies as the Taskmaster and Horne as his “little assistant”.
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.
Speaking to RadioTimes, Alex teased the line-up for the next season, revealing it could include an Oscar winner.
He said: “I could give you a sneaky bit of information for the distant future. We have got an Oscar winner in a future (season).”
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.”
