Taskmaster Series 16 line-up revealed
- Taskmaster Series 16 line-up: Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins, Susan Wokoma
- Producers tease: "All five are vying to win points, prizes, and eternal glory in hope of winning the coveted golden trophy"
- The 10-part series has already been filmed and is expected to air in the autumn
Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins and Susan Wokoma have been announced as the contestants for Series 16 of Taskmaster.
The news was announced as Series 15 concluded on Channel 4.
The producers say: "As another victorious Taskmaster champion is crowned, a brand-new bunch of the nation's best and brightest comic minds have been selected by the Taskmaster Greg Davies to compete in a series of his most tricksy tasks yet, while a watchful Little Alex Horne calmly observes and takes notes with admirable efficiency in the 16th series of the BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated global comedy juggernaut."
Julian Clary, who refers to himself as a "renowned homosexual" in his stage act, has been performing stand-up comedy since the 1980s. In recent years, he has also become an author, writing a series of children's books.
Lucy Beaumont won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2012 and, following a career as a stand-up, has now turned her hand to writing, presenting and acting. She recently fronted Jon & Lucy's Odd Couples on Channel 4 alongside her husband Jon Richardson (who appeared in Series 2 of Taskmaster).
Sam Campbell, who moved from Australia to perform comedy in the UK, won the Edinburgh Comedy Award last year. As an actor, he has appeared in shows including Bloods and Red Flag.
Sue Perkins started her comedy career alongside previous Taskmaster contestant Mel Giedroyc in the 1990s when the duo fronted a number of hit TV shows, reuniting more recently to front The Great British Bake Off. Her recent travel shows include Perfectly Legal for Netflix.
Susan Wokoma is a comedy actor. Her first key role was in The Inbetweeners 2, and her subsequent roles include Bluestone 42, Chewing Gum, Crazyhead, Porters, Year Of The Rabbit and Truth Seekers. Her most recent sitcoms include Peacock and Cheaters.
The producers say: "All five are vying to win points, prizes, and eternal glory in hope of winning the coveted golden trophy along with bragging rights as the Taskmaster Series 16 champion."
The studio recordings for the 10-part series took place at Pinewood Studios in May. Transmission details will be confirmed in due course, but the show usually airs from late September or early October onwards.
As previously reported, a new spin-off show - Junior Taskmaster - is due to launch later this year, with Rose Matafeo hosting and Mike Wozniak as her loyal assistant.