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May 30 | 2 min readBafta-winning TV series Taskmaster might have just finished its 11 series on Channel 4, but they just can’t wait to get going with series 12.
The cast of comedians who are taking part has already been revealed and it’s one of the most exciting contestant lineups in the show’s history.
Taskmaster is a show which puts the finest comedy minds in a series of surreal challenges, with Greg Davies, his obedient assistant Little Alex Horne dishing out the challenges, rules and all-important scores.
The news arrives as the series 11 champion Sarah Kendall was crowned in the final episode (May 20) of the critically-acclaimed show.
Who are the Taskmaster series 12 contestants?
Channel 4
The five brave candidates limbering up for an assault course of absurdity are:
Comedian, writer, and actor Alan Davies (QI, BBC Two);
Comedian, writer and actor Desiree Burch (Live At The Apollo, BBC One);
BAFTA nominated comedian Guz Khan (Man Like Mobeen, BBC Three);
BAFTA winning impressionist and actor Morgana Robinson (The Morgana Show, Channel 4);
Writer, presenter and professional poker player Victoria Coren Mitchell (Only Connect, BBC Two).
Series 12 of Taskmaster is expected to be broadcast on Channel 4 later in 2021.
Watch some classic Taskmaster
When is Taskmaster Champion of Champions series 2?
The second series of Champion of Champions, the first to be shown on Channel 4, will air later in 2021.
The contestants are the winners of series 6-10, Liza Tarbuck, Kerry Godliman, Lou Sanders, Ed Gamble and Richard Herring.
Listen to The Official Taskmaster Podcast
You know a show has reached the big time when its got its own official podcast series. Former contestant and reigning champion Ed Gamble will host the audio series.
Each episode will include Ed and a guest reviewing, celebrating and finding the funniest moments in the latest TV episode.
Alex Horne and Greg Davies and previous contestants will all guest on the show.
Who are the former Taskmaster winners?
Series 1: Josh Widdicombe
Series 2: Katherine Ryan
Series 3: Rob Beckett
Series 4: Noel Fielding
Series 5: Bob Mortimer
Series 6: Liza Tarbuck
Series 7: Kerry Godliman
Series 8: Lou Sanders
Series 9: Ed Gamble
Series 10: Richard Herring
Series 11: Sarah Kendall
Champion of Champions: Josh Widdicombe
New Year special: Shirley Ballas
What is Taskmaster?
If you’ve somehow managed to miss the critically acclaimed and extremely funny entertainment series, you’ve been missing out.
Based on Alex Horne’s Edinburgh Fringe show, the series first aired on Dave in 2015.
Across nine series, the show has gripped, thrilled and tickled millions of viewers as comedians have taken on a series perplexing and extraordinary challenges – all for the glory of being Taskmaster champion.
Previous winners have included Ed Gamble, Katherine Ryan, Rob Beckett, Noel Fielding, Josh Widdicombe and the unforgettable Bob Mortimer.
For a flavour of the show, check out Bob Motimer’s finest moments below…
Taskmaster began life as an Edinburgh Fringe show, arranged by Alex Horne, who used his experience working on Big Brother and the hit Channel 4 gameshow The Crystal Maze as inspiration.
The series was pitched to Channel 4 when it originally started, but eventually got made by Dave. The snub from Channel 4 is referenced jokingly in the trailer for series 10.
There have been 74 episodes of Taskmaster so far and 60 more (five more series) have been ordered by Channel 4.
The Taskmaster format has been sold into 106 countries, with 140 episodes of the format being made outside the UK including local versions of the show produced for VTM in Belgium, TVE in Spain, and TVNZ in New Zealand.
Comedy talent who have taken part so far include Frank Skinner, James Acaster, David Baddiel, Katherine Ryan, Russell Howard, Aisling Bea, Rose Matafeo, Romesh Ranganathan, and Noel Fielding.
The Taskmaster YouTube channel has received over 50 million views and has 305,000 subscribers, the Taskmaster Book 200 Extraordinary Tasks for Ordinary People has sold nearly 100,000 copies and A Taskmaster boardgame released in autumn 2019 entirely sold out a week after it went on sale.
Taskmaster 1-11 are available to binge on All 4.
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