Taskmaster Show Summary, Upcoming Episodes and TV Guide

A shiny-new champion is about to be crowned, but not before Fatiha El-Ghorri kicks in a door, Mathew Baynton threatens a puppy and Stevie Martin expertly burns some toast.

For the 12th time this series, Jason Mantzoukas chooses violence as the solution to a task. Fatiha El-Ghorri retches into a balloon. Stevie Martin relives a difficult memory.

The halfway point sees the competitive streak start to show in all the contestants. Sadly, this is mainly at the expense of administrator Alex Horne, who's poked with a snooker cue by Fatiha El-Ghorri, repeatedly dunked by Mathew Baynton and aggressively pursued by a bearded Stevie Martin. Taskmaster Greg Davies does his best to keep a lid on things as Rosie Ramsey impersonates a teacher and an unhinged Jason Mantzoukas causes havoc in the previously harmonious Taskmaster House.

Greg Davies expertly presides over another episode of profoundly important tasks, but he may come to regret a bold promise involving his mighty trousers. Greg's adoring assistant Little Alex Horne has some trouser issues of his own, thanks to Rosie Ramsey, but he gamely records events as Stevie Martin repeatedly punches a mannequin in the groin and Jason Mantzoukas pops raisins into a little hole in a wooden box. Meanwhile, Mathew Baynton strikes a memorable pose and Fatiha El-Ghorri demonstrates her acting chops. 

The first team task of the series brings the usual awkwardness, but also the joys of Stevie Martin inventing a new way for humans to move, and Fatiha El-Ghorri sweeping the lawn with a small broom. Elsewhere, Rosie Ramsey has a visceral reaction to mental arithmetic, Mathew Baynton strikes his own face with a grape, and Jason Mantzoukas destroys a shower. Little Alex Horne watches on in awe as Taskmaster Greg Davies judges it all with his customary wisdom. 

Our five weary contestants compete one last time, in a grand final featuring tiny chairs, giant eggs and a honking Alex Horne. But at the end of it all, who'll lift the legendary Taskmaster trophy?

The contestants continue as Jack Dee performs some energetic air cycling, Rosie Jones wails like a cat stuck in a cat flap and Babatunde Aleshe resorts to phoning a friend. Meanwhile, Andy Zaltzman deliberately dirties Alex Horne's carefully ironed trousers and Emma Sidi reveals a startling belief about socks.

The Taskmaster's much-admired assistant, Little Alex Horne, has many talents. He can use a stopwatch, he can record statistics and he can comb Greg Davies' hair every night for exactly 20 minutes. But can he competently wield a pair of pliers? Rosie Jones is keen to find out. Elsewhere, Andy Zaltzman finds a really important pen, Jack Dee adopts a charismatic New York accent, Babátúndé Aléshé creates a lovely little otter and Emma Sidi enjoys some horrible wine.

Jack Dee takes a long riverside stroll, Andy Zaltzman risks two bites of a vegetable, Emma Sidi does some cartwheels, Babatunde Aléshé gets annoyed with a rocket and Rosie Jones menaces a member of the crew. Chief statistician Alex Horne dons a luminous hat and rings a bell while proceeding at a gentle pace, while Greg Davies awards points, praise and pity.

Jack Dee has a dramatic change of wardrobe, Rosie Jones presents her new baby, Babátúndé Aléshé attaches ducks to his fingers, Andy Zaltzman starts seeing chickens, and Emma Sidi can't stop thinking about Tamzin Outhwaite.

Andy Zaltzman, Babátúndé Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones attempt to impress the Taskmaster by searching for a seal, hurling yoga balls in a theme park, and force-feeding Alex a bowlful of bubblegum.

Alex Horne risks raising Greg Davies' hackles with a task in celebration of himself. Steve Pemberton has an expletive-laden row with a bin. Plus: a novel use for a cow's ear.

Sophie Willan shouts the name of a body part in Alex Horne's flustered face. John Robins demonstrates the power of his forearms. And can Joanne McNally act out the word 'beer'?

Contenders Joanne McNally, John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Sophie Willan and Steve Pemberton continue their quest to be series champion. Steve experiments with G-force, Joanne rocks a traffic cone and Sophie splatters a human pigeon, all of which makes scoring a little tricky for all-powerful Taskmaster Greg Davies. Elsewhere, Nick gets trapped under a bed and John constructs a lengthy homage to Little Alex Horne's hero.

The answers to a great many questions will be answered in this episode. Will Steve Pemberton's no-vowels gamble pay off? Why does Sophie Willan love to balance items on her head? Can John Robins make formula milk? What does Nick Mohammed think is going to happen to those eggs? And, most intriguingly, why is Joanne McNally sniffing Little Alex Horne's beard?

Joanne McNally, John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Sophie Willan and Steve Pemberton are the formidable five hoping to pass the Taskmaster's muster with their attempts to hunt for patatas, hoopla a gorilla and hug a special friend.

It's the business end of the series, and time is running out for certain contenders to make their late run to claim Taskmaster Greg's head. Susan Wokoma has excuses when it comes to road sweeping, Julian Clary makes smart use of a fishing rod, Sue Perkins reimagines Botticelli, Sam Campbell collects some coins and Lucy Beaumont asks Taskmaster Greg Davies's assistant Alex Horne to sit on a sled.

Lucy Beaumont wonders if she should risk flicking a forbidden switch, Julian Clary wonders if he needs more than one pie, while Sue Perkins assesses whether a deer head is preferable to a boundary line. Faced with all this wonderment, Sam Campbell rips off his own head. Alex Horne wonders if Taskmaster Greg Davies will ever respect him as he tries to maintain order amid the chaos.

Susan Wokoma finds something hidden in a flower, Lucy Beaumont gets handy with loo roll, and Julian Clary makes some kitchen receptacles look a bit sinister. Meanwhile, Alex Horne gets intimidated by Sam Campbell.

Julian Clary destroys a table, Lucy Beaumont munches on a tree and Sam Campbell gets underneath some lint. Meanwhile, Alex Horne is subjected to a tickling by Susan Wokoma and is verbally insulted by a panpipe-playing Sue Perkins.

Comedian Julian Clary, actress writer and stand-up Lucy Beaumont, award-winning stand-up Sam Campbell, , writer and comedian Sue Perkins and actress, writer and director Susan Wokoma battle to win an elaborate joust to become the 16th Taskmaster champion. As usual, Alex Horne helps maintain order amid the chaos, though falls foul of Taskmaster Greg Davies at one point because of peas. Elsewhere, Lucy marvels at a canned blindfold and everyone tries to put a big duck in a lake.

It's nearly the end of the series, and the pressure is so intense that Mae Martin immediately forgets the only rule to a task. Greg Davies demands to be educated about history - but the five comics only seem to know about the year 1066. And there's paint, stomping, poor time keeping and some impressively sneaky prizes in this sort-of semi-final.

Contenders Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin continue to address the challenges set for them. As the battle for the trophy continues, Greg Davies and Alex Horne take things up a notch by introducing a pulper to proceedings. Jelly babies also cause friction between the participants.

Greg Davies challenges the short-term memory and musicality of contenders Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin as the five intrepid comedians approach the halfway point in the series. Frankie impresses with his falsetto, while Kiell wows everyone with his spoon retrieval abilities. Plus, Mae fakes their way into assistant Alex Horne's wallet.

The comics take part in another selection of challenges, highlights of which include Jenny Eclair having a lovely time sitting on a chair while new potatoes cascade onto her head. Elsewhere, things get emotional - who can keep it together for the all-important sausage quiz? Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Mae Martin and Kiell Smith-Bynoe are the other four contestants competing for Greg Davies's golden head.

Greg Davies sets tasks to Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin compete, the intrepid players hoping to become the 15th Taskmaster champion. In this episode, Jenny dances around a giant golden pineapple in a wedding dress, while Frankie discovers why cats love balls of string so much. Greg's `Admiral of Admin' Alex Horne helps maintain order amid the chaos.

With Dara Ó Briain holding a very slender lead in the race to claim television's most prestigious prize, this penultimate episode finds John Kearns blunting the business end of a sausage, Fern Brady struggling with a raspberry and Munya Chawawa unwittingly forcing Sarah Millican into finding a novel use for a ping-pong ball. Greg Davies hosts, ably assisted by Alex Horne.

Sarah Millican flails about with a frying pan, Munya Chawawa pulls off a brilliant billiards shot, and all five comics spend far too long searching for a bath, given its size... 

Sarah Millican gets her hands in some cottage pie, Fern Brady becomes Brandy Alexander, Munya Chawawa demonstrates a mastery of martial arts and John Kearns survives an operation.

Greg Davies sets more tasks to Dara Ó Briain, Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa and Sarah Millican, the intrepid players hoping to become the 14th Taskmaster champion. As the quintet of cowering comics heads out into the wilderness, Alex Horne takes notes and records numbers with admirable - bordering on irritating - efficiency.

Greg Davies returns to set more tasks to a series of celebrity guests. Dara Ó Briain, Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa and Sarah Millican are the noble knights who are hoping to win this elaborate joust to become the 14th Taskmaster champion. In this opening episode, they fumble frozen peas and shout about fish, while Greg's ever-loyal puppy, Alex Horne, lurks furtively in the background.

Greg Davies sets more perplexing and downright extraordinary tasks for Ardal O'Hanlon, Bridget Christie, Chris Ramsey, Judi Love and Sophie Duker. As the series nears its end, it remains to be seen whether Taskmaster Greg is impressed by Bridget's research into Welsh royalty or Judi poking a shoe from under a curtain. Alex Horne keeps tabs on everything with his usual relentless efficiency.

There's a food and drink theme running through this week's show as Ardal O'Hanlon indulges in a plant-based snack, liquids are poured down a giant tube on Sophie Duker's head, Chris Ramsey refuses to consume dried spaghetti and Bridget Christie browns a bun. Judi Love, meanwhile, impresses Taskmaster Greg Davies with her tales of celebrity encounters.

All-powerful Taskmaster Greg Davies sets more perplexing and downright extraordinary tasks for Ardal O'Hanlon, Bridget Christie, Chris Ramsey, Judi Love and Sophie Duker. This time, several contenders become baffled by things as apparently simple as a high five and a fish tank, which doesn't bode well as they continue their quest to win Greg's gilded bonce. Alex Horne records the minutiae of each task as Ardal discovers that a mallet floats, Bridget has a present for the Taskmaster and Sophie covers some keys in saliva.

This time, in an unexpected interpretation of a task, Bridget Christie shoves a cuddly toy inside a traffic cone, to create a scene that almost reduces Little Alex Horne to tears. Taskmaster Greg Davies is surprisingly sympathetic to his PA's distress but is less forgiving of Sophie Duker's dinosaur impression. Meanwhile, Ardal O'Hanlon is defeated by a robot, Chris Ramsey is impressed with a hose, and Judi Love is confident about everything except marbles.

The award-winning celebrity challenge returns, with Greg Davies as the all-powerful Taskmaster and Alex Horne as his sidekick, setting all manner of perplexing and downright extraordinary tasks for five contestants from the comedy world - Ardal O'Hanlon, Bridget Christie, Chris Ramsey, Judi Love and Sophie Duker. They'll be facing all manner of tasks to test their daring, dexterity and dignity under pressure - and to also make them look just a little bit silly too.

With scores tight, contestants Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell each retain hopes of being crowned the winner. Taskmaster Greg Davies can barely conceal his contempt as he witnesses Alan yawning at a friend, Victoria throwing paint and his sidekick Alex Horne blowing cold air down Desiree's neck via a long tube.

Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell attempt seemingly pointless tasks testing their ingenuity, dexterity and calmness under pressure. Guz currently holds a slender lead in this series, but with four episodes to go, any one of the contenders could walk off with host Greg Davies's gorgeous golden head tucked under their arm. This time, Greg's able sidekick Alex Horne lends his considerable acting skills to a promotional film, while Morgana passes a pole through a sponge, and Victoria tries to come to terms with a swanee whistle.

Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell attempt seemingly pointless tasks testing their ingenuity, dexterity and calmness under pressure. In the 100th episode, Victoria celebrates with a flapjack, Morgana celebrates by slicing up some plastic balls, and Guz celebrates by barricading himself in the Taskmaster house.

Greg Davies sets more tasks to a team of celebs comprising Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell. This instalment finds Victoria drawing an exploding cat, Alan hurting himself with a rubber band and Desiree doing something inexplicable when faced with sand. As usual, Greg's loyal sidekick Alex Horne offers the intrepid participants moral support.

Greg Davies sets tasks to a team of celebs comprising Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Guz Khan, Morgana Robinson and Victoria Coren Mitchell. The first set of challenges features with tasks featuring creepers, catapults and one (fake) cactus. As usual, Greg's loyal sidekick Alex Horne offers the intrepid contenders moral support.

It's all to play for in the penultimate episode of the series. Mike Wozniak issues a stark warning. Lee Mack has a makeover. And there's a storm brewing on Taskmaster Island...

There are fires, alarms, bizarre banquets and surprising sound effects, as our five comics complete pointless tasks under the watchful eye of Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne.

Greg Davies and Alex Horne set their captive band of comics humiliating missions involving cling film, fashion for insects, and face-based shape-shifting.

Lee Mack attempts an audacious hammer throw, Sarah Kendall makes sitting down memorable, and Jamali Maddix forgets his passport.

Charlotte Ritchie, Jamali Maddix, Lee Mack, Mike Wozniak and Sarah Kendall catch rats and have a smashing time delivering crockery on a scooter.

The comics go all out to win in the series semi-final: Richard Herring bleeds on beer mats, Mawaan Rizwan volleys oranges and Katherine Parkinson counts plastic balls.

Mawaan Rizwan masters remote control cars. Katherine Parkinson is baffled by a giant marble. Can Daisy May Cooper decipher Richard Herring's mysterious messages?

Greg Davies and Alex Horne host as five task-hungry comics demonstrate their love of watermelon and Johnny Vegas bags up a passing cyclist like a Christmas tree.

Mawaan Rizwan attempts a farm-related illusion in the hope of impressing domineering Taskmaster Greg Davies. Plus: pasta disasters and catapult calamities.

Taskmaster Greg Davies and his sidekick Alex Horne test the wit of Daisy May Cooper, Johnny Vegas, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan and Richard Herring with giant bears and flying eggs.

The five comics go undercover as they try to impress Taskmaster Greg Davies with their attempts at high-level espionage. And Ed Gamble shaves his knees.

A throwing task leaves some of the contestants with egg on their faces. Jo Brand reveals her stunning psychic superpowers. Katy Wix creates 'Mash Rushmore'.

Our five comics devise new ways to help Alex Horne make the Taskmaster's breakfast. Plus: former series champion Kerry Godliman makes a dramatic return.

David Baddiel steers a steamroller towards a representation of his childhood sweetheart, in the hope of impressing Taskmaster Greg Davies.

David Baddiel, Ed Gamble, Jo Brand, Katy Wix and Rose Matafeo make very dramatic entrances.

In the series semi-final, Alex Horne sucks delicious dust through a makeshift vegetable straw, while Paul Sinha, Lou Sanders and Iain Stirling become one.

Greg Davies hands down more brutally honest judgements as five comics fight among themselves to win his golden head. This time: the pink, the powerful and the pirate.

Taskmaster Greg Davies and his loyal lickspittle Alex Horne take careful notes as Paul Sinha struggles with a basketball and Joe Thomas has a very unhappy birthday.

Greg Davies judges the efforts of five comics who are desperate to impress him. Joe Thomas struggles with the definition of a mammal. Sian Gibson sends the Taskmaster a not-safe-for-work text.

Iain Stirling, Joe Thomas, Lou Sanders, Paul Sinha and Sian Gibson take on tasks set by fearsome Greg Davies and fearful Alex Horne. This time: baby monitors and seductive dummies.

It's the penultimate episode of the series. Rhod Gilbert's at the centre of some satsuma-based controversy. Kerry Godliman and Jessica Knappett play ukulele tennis.

Greg Davies challenges five funny people to entertain him by completing baffling challenges. This time: crackers Christmas crackers and eye-opening techniques.

Rhod Gilbert endangers Alex Horne's life (again), Jessica Knappett's sunny outlook is tested by a grumpy man, and Phil Wang has fun with mayonnaise.

Taskmaster Greg Davies sets our five intrepid comics more tricky tasks. What really gets Alex Horne's pulse racing?

A fresh batch of contestants - James Acaster, Jessica Knappett, Kerry Godliman, Phil Wang and Rhod Gilbert - perform pointless tasks involving clothes, construction and baked bean counting.

It's the penultimate episode of the series, and Liza Tarbuck is the leader of the pack vying to win the Taskmaster trophy. This time: hook, feline and singers!

Taskmaster Greg and his secretary Alex Horne set five wary comics rigorous tests, involving wet bras, skinny elephants and competitive pancake consumption

Asim Chaudhry plays snooker with drainpipes, Tim Vine gets stuck in a tunnel, and Alex Horne suffers a sharp telling-off from the Taskmaster

Taskmaster Greg Davies judges with fire and fury as five comics attempt baffling assignments involving spinning, baby food and bedtime stories for grown-ups

Alice Levine, Asim Chaudhry, Liza Tarbuck, Russell Howard and Tim Vine negotiate wheelbarrow stunts, lemon towers and a wardrobe in a field

In the series semi-final, Greg Davies and Alex Horne baffle the contestants by giving them bread to hold while blindfolded and calling yet another referendum

Alex Horne risks the Taskmaster's wrath by setting a cheeky unsanctioned task, and Sally Phillips locks herself in the caravan with an amorous water cooler

Greg Davies ranks five comics in order of competency as they attempt complex tasks such as coconut costumery. Plus: can Mark Watson open an unlocked briefcase?

Aisling Bea, Bob Mortimer, Mark Watson, Nish Kumar and Sally Phillips tackle futile tasks: basketball (no hands), rowing (no oars) and cuddles (no kissing)

Greg Davies and Alex Horne watch with despair as five comics take on wheelie bins, bothersome bunting and an unstable mannequin in the battle for Greg's golden head

Greg Davies and Alex Horne engage in some role play to assess the success of a throwing task. Swedishman Fred receives an intense video call. And all hell breaks loose in the Battle of the Bath.

The task onslaught continues as Greg Davies criticises the competitors' ability to camouflage themselves, herd dogs and make trailers for Taskmaster: The Movie

Greg Davies and Alex Horne host as Hugh Dennis, Joe Lycett, Lolly Adefope, Mel Giedroyc and Noel Fielding beautifully destroy a cake

In the penultimate episode of the series, can the comedians impress Greg Davies by giving an item of clothing to a passing cyclist and whispering to an old man?

Greg Davies sets our five comics more tenuous tasks. Who can give Alex Horne the biggest surprise when he emerges from his shed after an hour cooped up inside?

In the last episode of the series, Richard Osman gets carried away with a shopping trolley. But who will emerge victorious clutching Greg's golden head?

Doc Brown, Joe Wilkinson, Jon Richardson, Katherine Ryan and Richard Osman are confronted with an intimidating man in gold chains: the mayor of Chesham. What can they do to impress him?

Doc Brown, Joe Wilkinson, Jon Richardson, Katherine Ryan and Richard Osman tackle tricky tasks, including a potato hole-in-one that will surely go down in television history