'He's been a constant in my life for 26 years'

Alex Horne has revealed the one comedy star for whom the Taskmaster door is always open: Bill Bailey.

Horne says the stand-up has always been a comedy hero of his, and would welcome him on to his hit show any time.

‘Bill was quite close to doing it once and we couldn't make the dates work,’ he told the Always Be Comedy podcast. 

‘There's an open invitation to ill. I watched him when I was a student at Cambridge University in the Corn Exchange. I was 20, so that's 26 years ago. And to me, then, he was at the height of his powers and he's sort of stayed at that level or gone up ever since.

‘He's just been a constant in my life. I still get that real thrill of having a hero of mine on the show. So yes, we're hoping. He's also local to the house. So that's hopefully in our favour. I definitely haven't given up hope.

‘We've asked a question and then what happens is, if someone can't make it, we then don't badger them for a bit. So I think we will open that door again. But if he's listening: Bill, we would love you to do the show. It's painless and you can flex any muscle you want, but also obviously him on Strictly was really inspiring.’

Horne also spoke about the second series of  The Horne Section TV Show, which has already been filmed and is expected to come out next year.

‘It’s been well documented that a few Channel 4 comedies have been put in the fridge; they are coming out, but they're just being kept fresh until 2025,’ he said. ‘So, The Horne Section TV Show series 2 is definitely out next year. It’s done and dusted and ready to go out.

‘Channel 4 will launch a whole load of new stuff next year, which is great. And I think I think the channel’s had its ups and downs, but I think it's in a pretty healthy place again.’

Taskmaster has played a key role in that, with a spin-off show – Junior Taskmaster – launching in November and the Live Experience recently opening in London.

Horne also revealed plans to return to the US, having gone down well when he and Taskmaster co-host Greg Davies appeared on  Late Night With Seth Meyers.

‘We were probably humbled by it and quite alarmed and surprised,’ admitted Horne. ‘We're hopefully going to go back and try to mine it more because it was really, really fun.’

A previous US version of the show – with Reggie Watts as Taskmaster, and Horne reprising his role as assistant – lasted only one seasons.

Were they were to try again, Horne would look to host with Davies. He said: ‘In terms of Taskmaster in America, we are always up for it as long as it's me and Greg this time. Reggie is my one of my heroes, but I'd love to sit with Greg. Why wouldn't you have Greg as the Taskmaster?’

Published: 15 Oct 2024