With comics Tom Gleeson and Tom Cashman

Australia is making its own version of Taskmaster, to air next year.

Comedians  Tom Gleeson and Tom Cashman will host the new version, with ten episodes ordered by broadcaster Network 10.

It means the format – devised by Alex Horne – has now been sold to 12 countries with more than 300 episodes produced outside the UK. Local versions include Taskmaster New Zealand, which is in its third series, and the French-Canadian version Le Maître du Jeu.

Gleeson is best known down under for Hard Quiz, in which he takes a witheringly cynical approach to contestants, while Cashman is a regular on Network 10’s topical show The Project

Isobel Hughes, director of distribution at programme-makers Avalon said: "We're delighted that Australia will become the next major territory to have its own version of Taskmaster and are thrilled that Paramount [Network 10’s parent company] are showcasing this fun and highly original format with some excellent talent attached.’

Other local versions have been made in Sweden (where it is called Bäst i Test); Norway’ (Kongen Befaler), Finland (Suurmestari), Denmark (Stormester) Croatian (Direktor Svemira) is set to return for a second series later this year, and Portugal (just called Taskmaster Portugal)

In the UK more than 149 episodes have been made so far. Series 14 – the fifth of the six ordered by Channel 4 in 2020 – started last week with Dara O Briain, Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa and Sarah Millican taking on the challenges.

Published: 6 Oct 2022