Taskmaster Series 17 line-up revealed
- Series 17 line-up: Joanne McNally, John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Sophie Willan and Steve Pemberton
- The ten new episodes have already been filmed. An exact broadcast date has yet to be set, but they are "coming soon"
- It's also been revealed that the format clocked up 2.3 billion viewing minutes on Channel 4's streaming platform in 2023
The five contestants due to take part in Series 17 of Taskmaster have been revealed.
Stand-up comedians, writers and presenters Joanne McNally, John Robins and Sophie Willan and comic actors and writers Nick Mohammed and Steve Pemberton will be the five taking on the next ten episodes of the hit TV comedy format.
The producers says: "In the wake of a ferociously fought battle between Taskmaster titans in the third Champion of Champions special, the line-up for Series 17 has been announced. Preparing themselves to compete in the most important show on all of television, this gutsy group's efforts will be overseen by Lord Greg Davies accompanied by a Little Alex Horne scuttling by his side. Over the past year, the BAFTA and National Comedy Award winning series triumphed as one of Channel 4's most popular programmes, coming in as the channel's third most streamed title of the year with 2.3 billion viewing minutes recorded across all series watched in 2023. The launch episode of Series 15 alone has had 85.4 million streaming minutes viewed so far.
"Preparing to fight tooth and nail, impress the almighty Taskmaster, and bag the highest points are: comedian, writer, and British Podcast Award winning presenter Joanne McNally (My Therapist Ghosted Me), Edinburgh Comedy Award winning comedian and radio presenter John Robins (BBC Radio 5 Live), award-winning actor and comedian Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), BAFTA-winning actor, writer, producer and comedian Sophie Willan (Alma's Not Normal), and award-winning actor and writer Steve Pemberton (Inside No. 9). Who will emerge victorious, raise the weighty trophy above their head, and call themselves a Taskmaster champion?"
A clue as to the identity of one of the contestants was revealed last year when cryptic crossword setter Sphinx returned to The Times newspaper. Solving the crossword in full gave the hidden message: "GREG PLEASE GIVE STEVE ALL FIVE POINTS".
The episodes have already been filmed and will be broadcast on Channel 4 "soon". An exact broadcast date hasn't yet been given, but in recent years Channel 4 has scheduled the first series of the year to begin in late March or early April.
Here is a trailer for the episodes: