Kiell Smith-Bynoe to stand in for Mae Martin on Taskmaster special
The next Taskmaster Champion of Champions special will follow in early 2024, but as Mae Martin is unavailable for filming, series runner-up Kiell Smith-Bynoe has stepped up to fill the space.
The special, which will cover the winners of Series 11 to 15, has been filmed and is ready for broadcast on Channel 4 early next year.
The producers say: "It's that time when overlord Greg Davies beckons previous winners of Series 11 to 15 to return to the scene of the greatest triumph of their lives and battle once more in a brand-new Champion of Champions tournament, adjudicated by the PA of PAs, Little Alex Horne. This brand-new one-off special will air soon on Channel 4, and hot on the heels of a festive Taskmaster's New Year Treat special airing on 2nd January.
"Former champs Dara O Briain, Morgana Robinson, Sarah Kendall and Sophie Duker square off in a one-off face off hoping to be crowned Champion of Champions. One of them will cart home the ultimate prize of Greg Davies' buff body forged in gold - unless history is made by late substitute and lucky runner-up Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who could become the first ever non-Champion of Champions.
Series 15 winner Mae Martin says: "I am absolutely fuming at the fact that I am unable to participate in Taskmaster's Champion of Champions. I would love nothing more than to fight for the title of ultimate champion, and spend another week of my life being ridiculed by Greg. I am, however, confident in the choice to send Kiell to fight on my behalf. He is an agile and profoundly competitive young man, and also much much cooler and funnier than me, so we should have it in the bag. I have sent some surprises so that my presence is felt. Good luck Kiell, I am holding my breath from the U.S. and rooting for you."
Kiell Smith-Bynoe comments: "As if it wasn't enough pressure representing the whole of black Britain in S15 now I have to represent the entire nation of Canada in Champion of Champions. I've never even been. I didn't even win my series. Look I'll try alright."
Teasing the tasks, the producers add: "Much will depend on stupidity, hat-hurling and clapping. Little Alex Horne can barely contain himself."
It's a busy time for Taskmaster news. The producers have also announced plans for a Taskmaster Live Experience and a VR video game.
Taskmaster returns to Channel 4 on 2nd January 2024, with a New Year's Treat special involving Deborah Meaden, Kojey Radical, Lenny Rush, Steve Backshall and Zoe Ball.