Plus six more series of the main show, extending it for three more years

Channel 4 is to launch a children’s version of Taskmaster.

News of Junior Taskmaster – which will feature contestants aged 9 to 11 – comes as the original show has been renewed for six series over three more years.

The youngster’s version will run for eight episodes and will feature new hosts, to be announced soon.

Alex Horne, the show’s creator, said: ‘I've watched many, many comedians flounder when given simple instructions over the past few years and I fully expect the competitors in Junior Taskmaster to be both more competent and just as funny.

‘For that series, I will be handing over my assistant's clipboard to someone equally as efficient and persistent as myself because I have a lot more admin to do with six further handfuls of supposedly talented adults. I live for bureaucracy so this is all excellent news.’

Greg Davies, the original Taskmaster, added: ‘My long-term contempt for young people is a matter of record but other people here at Taskmaster HQ seem convinced that they have merit.

‘I am thrilled that two new team members are putting this questionable hypothesis to the test and will take on the challenge of corralling and assessing them on television. I will be watching closely to ensure standards are met.

‘I am also delighted that Alex and I return to test the intelligence of comedians in the most scientific of ways. I’ll be pretty angry. It’s not even an act anymore.’

Taskmaster already targets a young audience with a bleeped PG version of the main show, while an increasing number of schools have been taking Taskmaster into the classroom, either informall, or via School Tasking, the not-for-profit primary school outreach project, and Taskmaster Education, which partnered with children’s mental health charity Place2Be.

It is also one of Channel 4’s most top three shows in the coveted 9pm slot  among the 16-34-year-old along with Gogglebox and Derry Girls.

Tom Beck, head of events for Channel 4, said: ‘Taskmaster is the funniest, most creative show on TV and we’re so excited not only to have three more years of Greg and Alex on the brilliant original but also to expand Taskmaster.

‘Junior Taskmaster is set to be hugely entertaining family-friendly treat with as much madcap nonsense as the main series and, who knows, it might unearth the comedy stars of tomorrow.’

The news comes as Channel 4 has revealed that the 15th series of Taskmaster - featuring Frankie Boyle, Ivo Graham, Jenny Eclair, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin – will launch at 9pm on March 30.

Produced by: Avalon
Executive producers: Alex Horne, Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, James Taylor, Jon Thoday and Andy Devonshire
Series director: Andy Devonshire
Series producer: Andy Cartwright
Commissioned for Channel 4 by: Tom Beck, head of live events and commissioning editor, entertainment, with Phil Harris, head of entertainment and events

Published: 15 Mar 2023