Taskmaster is getting set to take to our screens for its 21st series with a fresh group of contestants to put to the test - or should I say, task.
The hit Channel 4 TV show will see five news contestants put before assistant taskmaster Alex Horne and head taskmaster himself Greg Davies to perform a whole host of weird and wacky tasks in a bid to win the golden head trophy.
Previously, challenges have varied from being tasked with blowing up a balloon so its circumference is the same length as a standard cucumber, to gathering a herd of animals with exactly 22 legs before donning a tutu.
Past contestants have included Katherine Ryan, Amelia Dimoldenberg and John Robins - who came away with an outstanding score of 192. But who's set to appear in Taskmaster's 21st series? And who do we think already stands the best chance of winning?
Taskmaster series 21 contestants
Below is a full cast list:
- Joanna Page
- Amy Gledhill
- Armando Iannucci
- Joel Dommett
- Kumail Nanjiani
For more on the cast, including our predictions, keep scrolling...
Joel Dommett
Who is Joel Dommett? Joel Dommett is an actor, comedian and TV presenter.
What else has Joel Dommett been in? After appearing in various TV shows from Casualty to Skins, Dommett went into stand-up comedy and presenting. You may recognise him from Impractical Jokers UK, I'm a Celeb... or The Masked Singer.
Our verdict: Joel came runner-up on I'm a Celeb... after going on a covert jungle mission with Carol Vorderman, alongside create nipple tassels using chicken eggs and string. If this isn't the perfect training for Taskmaster, we don't know what is. He's got our vote to win!
Joanna Page
Who is Joanna Page? Joanna Page is an actor and presenter.
What else has Joanna Page been in? Joanna is best known for her role as the Barry-born Stacey Shipman in much-loved TV series Gavin and Stacey. But you'll also have spotted her in Christmas rom-com Love Actually, her scene a moment of light, awkward relief among all the pining and heartbreak - we still want justice for Emma Thompson's Karen. Joanna has since transitioned into more presenting roles, a panelist on Loose Women and hosting BBC's Shop Well for Less and ITV's The Pet Show.
Our verdict: While simply overjoyed seeing Joanna on our screens as much as possible, we think her array of experience on such different shows and savvy-thinking on Shop Well for Less could help set her apart from the rest. And she's just lush really, so who wouldn't want her to make runner-up?
Amy Gledhill
Who is Amy Gledhill? Amy Gledhill is a comedian and actor.
What else has Amy Gledhill been in? One half of the double act The Delightful Sausage, the pair's show Ginsters Paradise was nominated for Best Show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's Comedy Awards. Since then, Amy has carved a career writing and appearing in sketch shows for the BBC, alongside embarking on a solo career both at the Fringe and later a solo UK tour too. She's won multiple Edinburgh comedy awards, launched a podcast with fellow comedian Harriet Kemsley in 2024 and also appeared in Harlan Coben's Netflix series Run Away as DC Ruby Todd.
Our verdict: With an Edinburgh fringe duo name as silly as The Delightful Sausage combined with her multiple solo shows and surprise appearance in Run Away as a police officer, it has us questioning if there's anything Amy can't do? Fellow Taskmasters beware.
Kumail Nanjiani
Who is Kumail Nanjiani? Kumail Nanjiani is an actor, comedian, producer and screenwriter.
What else has Kumail Nanjiani been in? Following his breakthrough role in HBO comedy Silicon Valley, Kumail has gone on to star in TNT series Franklin and Bash and Disney+ hit The Boys. You may also recognise him from co-hosting Comedy Central show The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. Oh and his role as Kingo in that little MCU superhero film called Eternals.
Our verdict: Given Kumail's role as a literal superhero in Eternals, we're sure he can channel some of the same energy into whatever task the taskmasters throw at him.
Armando Iannucci
Who is Armando Iannucci? Armando Iannucci is a satirist, writer, producer and comedian.
What else has Armando Iannucci been in? After beginning his career on the radio, Armando went on to lend his satirical talents to television, co-creating programmes including I'm Alan Partridge. He created BBC political sitcom The Thick of It and HBO's Veep which saw him win two Emmys. As if this wasn't impressive enough already, he decided to venture into feature films too, writing The Personal Story of David Copperfield and working on the adaptation of the National Theatre live production of Doctor Strangelove.
Our verdict: Given his plethora of experience, it's no surprise in his interview for Taskmaster series 21 Armando described the process so far as 'a breeze compared to some of the other things' he's done. But has he spoken too soon?
Taskmaster series 21 is set to air on Channel 4 on Thursday, 9 April.
If you're elsewhere across the globe, you'll be able to stream it via the official Taskmaster YouTube channel later.
