TV Comedy | Sunday 8 November 2026
The line-up is in for this year’s festive Taskmaster’s New Year Treat. The all-powerful Taskmaster Greg Davies and his dutiful sidekick Little Alex Horne will put five famous faces through their paces: Alison Hammond, Chesney Hawkes, Francis Bourgeois, Maryam Moshiri and Rob Rinder. Here are five things to know before you settle on the sofa this festive season.
1. Five stars from very different worlds
This year’s quintet brings together talent from right across showbusiness. BAFTA-nominated presenter Alison Hammond, of The Great British Bake Off, is joined by chart-topping musician Chesney Hawkes. Railway enthusiast, viral content creator and broadcaster Francis Bourgeois, who has appeared on The Grand Tour, adds his own brand of infectious enthusiasm. BBC Chief News Presenter Maryam Moshiri, of The World Today With Maryam Moshiri, swaps the newsdesk for silliness. And barrister, broadcaster and author Rob Rinder completes the line-up.
2. Don’t expect any special treatment
Famous or not, the contestants won’t be getting an easy ride. Greg and Alex have promised a ludicrous set of challenges, in true Taskmaster style. That’s part of the joy of the festive specials: seeing well-known personalities from outside the comedy world tackle the absurd. Will a barrister’s logic or a newsreader’s composure survive Alex’s devious instructions? We suspect not, and that’s exactly why it will be such good viewing.
3. There’s a very special trophy at stake
Only one contestant can claim the very special New Year Treat Trophy. And this year’s prize is a coveted set of Greg’s Golden Eyebrows. Regular viewers will know the show loves a golden Greg-themed trophy, and this one is wonderfully daft. With five competitive personalities in the mix, expect plenty of bickering over every point. It’s a trophy few people would display at home – but all five will no doubt be desperate to win it.
4. It’s a double helping this festive season
The New Year Treat returns over the festive season with a double helping, so there’s twice the chaos to enjoy. Transmission details haven’t been revealed yet and will be announced in due course. Taskmaster is a BAFTA and Rose d’Or-winning show, and these festive specials have become a much-loved part of the holiday TV schedule. They’re a perfect choice for a family evening in between Christmas and New Year. Keep an eye out for confirmed dates and times nearer the festivities.
5. Taskmaster Live On Stage is coming to Manchester
If you can’t get enough Taskmaster, the show’s live re-imagining, Taskmaster Live On Stage, is proving hugely popular. It sold out two nights at the Hollywood Bowl in the USA, plus a date at Manchester’s AO Arena, one of Europe’s largest arenas, only moments after going on sale. The Manchester show takes place in June 2027. You can sign up to the mailing list to hear further news first. Meanwhile, past series are available to watch on Channel 4’s streaming service and the Taskmaster YouTube channel.
Info
Taskmaster’s New Year Treat
Contestants: Alison Hammond, Chesney Hawkes, Francis Bourgeois, Maryam Moshiri and Rob Rinder
Hosts: Greg Davies and Alex Horne
When: Over the festive season, as a double helping – transmission details to be revealed in due course
Where to watch Taskmaster: Channel 4