...as US series starts this week

Alex Horne has signed a publishing deal to write a Taskmaster book.

The title, Taskmaster: The Book Of Champions, will be published in September and feature challenges fans can play at home.

Horne created the TV format, initially as a diversion for his comedian friends,  as well as acting as sidekick to Taskmaster Greg Davies on the Dave show.

The book is being released by BBC Books, who describe it as ‘a fully-interactive guide to indulging your competitive streak and challenging your friends and family to attempt insane tasks from the comfort of your own living room’.

Sample tasks include making the most artistic tea-stain on the page to creating a self-portrait while blindfolded.

It is available to order from various online bookshops including Foyles, priced £12.99.

Horne previously wrote the books Birdwatching ins 2009 and Wordwatching in 2010, about real-life challenges he undertook.

A sixth series of Taskmaster starts on Dave next Wednesday featuring DJ Alice Levine, People Just Do Nothing's Asim Chaudhry, actor Liza Tarbuck, and comedians Russell Howard and Tim Vine taking on the ridiculous challenges.

And the American remake, which will feature Reggie Watts on the Taskmaster throne and Horne again as the sidekick, starts on Comedy Central in the US on Friday. The contestants will be Lisa Lampanelli, Freddie Highmore, Ron Funches, Dillon Francis, and Kate Berlant.

Published: 24 Apr 2018