Taskmaster Series 18 line-up revealed
- Series 18 contestants: Andy Zaltzman, Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones
- Taskmaster: The Live Experience launches in London on 18th September, with a ballot for tickets open now
- Taskmaster VR Game will be released on 13th June
Andy Zaltzman, Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones will take part in Series 18 of Taskmaster, which is coming to Channel 4 later this year.
The news was revealed at the end of the final episode of Series 17. The producers confirm: "As another series of epic tasking draws to a close, the almighty Greg Davies and his Little Alex Horne are already excited to welcome the next batch of bright-eyed hopefuls to their BAFTA and National Comedy Award winning international hit show. Taskmaster Series 18 is set to air later this year on Channel 4."
Talking about the contestants, they add: "Hoping to pass muster and be the best are: comedian, host of The Bugle Podcast and cricket statistician Andy Zaltzman (The News Quiz, BBC Radio 4); comedian, actor and podcaster Babatunde Aléshé (Celebrity Gogglebox, C4); actor, comedian and writer Emma Sidi (Starstruck, BBC Three); legendary stand-up and writer Jack Dee (I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, BBC Radio 4); and stand-up, presenter, actor and author Rosie Jones (Trip Hazard, C4)."
The series has already been filmed, with the studio segments having been taped at Pinewood Studios earlier this month. The ten episodes will be shown on Channel 4 in the autumn.
Taskmaster: The Live Experience
It has also been announced this week that Taskmaster: The Live Experience will launch at Dock X in London's Canada Water on 18th September, running through to 25th January 2025.
The producers explain: "Taskmaster: The Live Experience gives fans a chance to complete real tasks and compete against one another as Taskmaster contestants in this brand-new interactive adventure. An overwhelming response from fans was received, so a ticket ballot has been created to allocate tickets to Taskmaster fans in the fairest way possible."
The ticket ballot will be drawn from 10am on 19th June. People wishing to get tickets should sign up for the mailing list on taskmasterliveexperience.com
Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne say: "We were hoping 100,000 people might sign up to the Live Experience mailing list, but when 250,000 did, we were excited and scared respectively. Do you want to compete in ludicrous tasks, just like your favourite comedians? Of course you do! And you can still sign up to Taskmaster: The Live Experience mailing list right now to enter the ticket ballot".
Talking further about what ticket holders can expect when the venue opens in September, the producers explain: "Taskmaster: The Live Experience gives fans the chance to step into the shoes of their favourite comedians and enter the iconic Taskmaster House. Based on the BAFTA and National Comedy Award winning hit TV show, brand-new ridiculous and infuriating tasks set in the lab, living room, shed and other recognisable locations will get contestants battling for points, culminating in a final in the studio theatre where one player will win the Taskmaster's seal of approval.
"The Live Experience has two unique gameplay experiences to choose from, Melon Buffet and Absolute Casserole, each containing different tasks and challenges. There are bespoke videos throughout from Little Alex Horne who has finally got his own team of assistants (Little Little Alex Hornes) to lead participants through the tasks, with each experience concluding in a final task on-stage. The Experience starts and ends in the Taskmaster garden, giving guests the chance to explore what's really in the shed, have a photo with the cow, and discover hidden tasks, along with the Taskmaster museum, a brand-new caravan bar with Taskmaster themed drinks like Bin Juice cocktail and Caskmaster beer, and food available at Little Alex Horne's kitchen menu.
The stars have filmed a promotional video:
Taskmaster VR Game
Meanwhile the new Taskmaster VR Game from Scallywag Arcade will be released on Meta Quest and SteamVR on 13th June.
The game will allow players to "step into the contestants' shoes by competing in extraordinary challenges or to fill the industrious boots of the Taskmaster's assistant by creating tasks of their own and challenging their friends in local play."
Alex Horne on Have I Got News For You
As first reported earlier this month, Alex Horne is due to guest host Have I Got News For You on Friday 7th June.
Newly announced Series 18 contestant Jack Dee will be one of the guests, and also appearing will be broadcaster Carol Vorderman.
On hosting HIGNFY for the first time, Little Alex Horne said: "Although I suspect it's an admin error and they actually want me to pass the request on to my boss, I'm very excited to be hosting an episode of Have I Got News For You. I am rarely in charge, whether at work, at home or by myself, so I'm hoping a hitherto undiscovered domineering side of my personality will be unleashed all over Paul and Ian."