Latest news with #AlexHorne
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
TV show Taskmaster launches new free experiences across top UK attractions this summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FANS of the comedy series Taskmaster, where comedians compete in a series of usually embarrassing and tricky tasks, need to check out this new experience. This summer, English Heritage and Taskmaster have joined forces to bring family fun and games to 17 historical sites across the UK - and it's absolutely free. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 You can play Taskmaster at 17 English Heritage sites across the UK Credit: 4 The experience is complete free and is included with the price of entry for the site Credit: Taskmaster, the Channel 4 show, sees five comedians attempt a series of strange and hilarious tasks set by Alex Horne. The ultimate goal is to score the most points by impressing the Taskmaster himself, Greg Davies. By the end of the series, the winner is given a prize - a gold trophy of Greg's face. Now, families across the UK can give the TV show a go in their own way. Across various English Heritage sites like Audley End House, Carisbrooke Castle and Stonehenge, is the new Taskmaster challenge. These family-friendly tasks are full of laughs, and while the experience is suitable for all ages, it's likely they'll prove to be trickier than you think. After all, the tasks in the TV show are known for being much harder in real-life than in theory. Over the course of the experience there are six challenges in total. Each one takes up to five minutes, so you really can take your time in perfecting the task and beating your opponents. The challenges are spread out over each of the heritage sites and will be clearly marked so you won't miss them. Taskmaster viewers all say the same thing as series 15 winner is revealed - and next batch of celebrities are confirmed 4 The experience is based on the Channel 4 comedy series Credit: Avalon While it's summer, make sure you dress for rain or shine as it will be outside. At the end, you can tot up your scores to reveal the winner. The only downside is that neither Alex nor Greg will be there give you a round of applause. The experience runs from now until August 31, 2025. The best bit is that the Taskmaster challenge is at no extra cost either - it's included in your entry ticket to each English Heritage property. The price of entry at each English Heritage site does vary, for example, entry to Osborne on the Isle of Wight costs £24.50 for adults and £15.50 for children (between 5 and 17). At Stonehenge, entry for adults start at £27.20 with children costing upwards from £17.20. For any English Heritage members, entry to each site is completely free. While you can't book ahead for the Taskmaster challenge, you can book a day ticket to the site online, and save 15 per cent if you book before the day of your visit. Or you can choose to buy a membership from £42 meaning you get free entry to over 400 sites across the UK. You can bring up to six children under 18 per adult for free and members' kids eat free this summer too at certain English Heritage cafes. Here are five other travel experiences worth booking this summer. Plus, this pub crawl is the best tourist experience in the UK according to Tripadvisor. Here's A List of Participating English Heritage Sites Dover Castle Osborne Walmer Castle Audley End Battle Abbey Beeston Castle Belsay Hall Bolsover Castle Brodsworth Hall Carisbrooke Castle Eltham Palace and Gardens Framlingham Castle Kenilworth Castle Pendennis Castle Scarborough Castle Stonehenge Wrest Park
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
TV show Taskmaster launches new free experiences across top UK attractions this summer
FANS of the comedy series Taskmaster, where comedians compete in a series of usually embarrassing and tricky tasks, need to check out this new experience. This summer, English Heritage and Taskmaster have joined forces to bring family fun and games to 17 historical sites across the UK - and it's absolutely free. 4 Taskmaster, the Channel 4 show, sees five comedians attempt a series of strange and hilarious tasks set by Alex Horne. The ultimate goal is to score the most points by impressing the Taskmaster himself, Greg Davies. By the end of the series, the winner is given a prize - a gold trophy of Greg's face. Now, families across the UK can give the TV show a go in their own way. Across various English Heritage sites like Audley End House, Carisbrooke Castle and Stonehenge, is the new Taskmaster challenge. These family-friendly tasks are full of laughs, and while the experience is suitable for all ages, it's likely they'll prove to be trickier than you think. After all, the tasks in the TV show are known for being much harder in real-life than in theory. Over the course of the experience there are six challenges in total. Each one takes up to five minutes, so you really can take your time in perfecting the task and beating your opponents. The challenges are spread out over each of the heritage sites and will be clearly marked so you won't miss them. Taskmaster viewers all say the same thing as series 15 winner is revealed - and next batch of celebrities are confirmed 4 While it's summer, make sure you dress for rain or shine as it will be outside. At the end, you can tot up your scores to reveal the winner. The only downside is that neither Alex nor Greg will be there give you a round of applause. The experience runs from now until August 31, 2025. The best bit is that the Taskmaster challenge is at no extra cost either - it's included in your entry ticket to each English Heritage property. The price of entry at each English Heritage site does vary, for example, entry to Osborne on the Isle of Wight costs £24.50 for adults and £15.50 for children (between 5 and 17). At Stonehenge, entry for adults start at £27.20 with children costing upwards from £17.20. For any English Heritage members, entry to each site is completely free. While you can't book ahead for the Taskmaster challenge, you can book a day ticket to the site online, and save 15 per cent if you book before the day of your visit. Or you can choose to buy a membership from £42 meaning you get free entry to over 400 sites across the UK. You can bring up to six children under 18 per adult for free and members' kids eat free this summer too at certain English Heritage cafes. Here are . Plus, this pub crawl is the best tourist experience in the UK according to Tripadvisor. Here's A List of Participating English Heritage Sites Dover Castle Osborne Walmer Castle Audley End Battle Abbey Beeston Castle Belsay Hall Bolsover Castle Brodsworth Hall Carisbrooke Castle Eltham Palace and Gardens Framlingham Castle Kenilworth Castle Pendennis Castle Scarborough Castle Stonehenge Wrest Park 4
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Alex Horne reveals 'special guest' in Taskmaster season 21 line-up as major change in store
Alex Horne reveals 'special guest' in Taskmaster season 21 line-up as major change in store Taskmaster creator and assistant "Little" Alex Horne has teased some major changes in store for season 21 of the Channel 4 programme. Taskmaster season 20 has yet to air, though the cast has been revealed (Image: Channel 4 ) Taskmaster's mastermind, Alex Horne, has hinted at exciting changes for the Channel 4 show's upcoming 21st season. The hit comedy show, which challenges five celebrities to compete in a series of outlandish tasks, is set for some intriguing updates. From filling an egg cup with their own tears, attempting to make a bridge out of straws, rubbers and chewing gum, to hula hooping on stage in front of a live audience, or making a creepy nursery rhyme, Taskmaster has ensured there's never been a lack of variety or surprises. Greg Davies presides over the mayhem as the Taskmaster, with "Little" Alex Horne by his side as his assistant. Since its debut in 2019, the programme has welcomed a plethora of stars such as Munya Chawawa, Judi Love, Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan, and Bob Mortimer. Season 20 saw Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Matthew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey, and Stevie Martin vying for the title, with Ghosts actor Mathew taking the trophy home. Article continues below Alex Horne has dropped a major hint about Taskmaster season 21 (Image: Rob Parfitt / Channel 4 ) Despite the recent reveal of the line-up for season 20, which is yet to premiere later this year, Alex is already dropping hints about what's next for the show, reports the Mirror. Speaking to Radio Times, he revealed: "There are two things that are new. We're filming somewhere as well as the house – somewhere that's pretty mad." He continued with a tantalising tease: "And we have a special guest this series from somewhere exotic who you'll recognise. That's all I can say." He added to the publication: "20's coming out soon. All going well. We're just in the middle of filming the next one and I'm still enjoying it. I'm still weirdly finding it exciting." Horrible Histories actor Mathew Baynton was crowned champion of season 19 (Image: Lion Television/BBC ) The anticipation for season 20 of the show reached new heights when the line-up was revealed, much to the delight of fans. The upcoming series will feature Ania Magliano, Maisie Adam, Phil Ellis, Reece Shearsmith, and Sanjeev Bhaskar vying for the title of champion, with a New Year's special also expected, following the tradition of previous specials that have included stars like Claudia Winkleman, Sir Mo Farah, Carol Vorderman, Martin Lewis, and Rylan Clark. Excitement bubbled over among fans after a teaser was released showing the five comedians undertaking a task for the forthcoming season 20, as part of the announcement. One fan expressed their joy on social media, stating: "My prayers have been answered I have wanted maisie adam on taskmaster for so long." Another said: "Oh this is going to be GOOD!!" Content cannot be displayed without consent A third couldn't contain their excitement, exclaiming: "FINALLY REECE OH MY GOD IVE WAITED MY WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS." Meanwhile, Horrible Histories star Mathew reflected on his win in a recent interview with Metro, and revealed his plans to return. "I'm just really happy. I was having so much fun...," he shared. Article continues below After a suggestion of returning for the Champion of Champions series, which has the previous winners battle it out against each other, he added: "I did start thinking, oh, it would be really nice [to win] because winning means a repeat of the experience. The number one thing about winning is thinking, Oh, great, I get to go back. "I guess the only sadness about getting to go back is that I won't be sat with those guys [the season 19 contestants] because they were so much fun." Taskmaster is available to watch on Channel 4.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Alex Horne teases major change for Taskmaster season 21 and 'special guest'
Taskmaster creator Alex Horne has teased a new series of the Bafta-winning Channel 4 comedy. Taskmaster creator Alex Horne has teased big changes in store for the Channel 4 programme's 21st season. For the uninitiated, the long-running comedy series sees a batch of five celebrities pitted against each other as they take on various bizarre tasks to be crowned the winner. From filling an egg cup with their own tears, attempting to make a bridge out of straws, rubbers and chewing gum, to hula hooping on stage in front of a live audience, or making a creepy nursery rhyme, Taskmaster really has seen it all. The series, hosted by Greg Davies and 'Little' Alex Horne as his assistant, first aired in 2019, and over that time has seen more than a hundred celebrities take part, including Munya Chawawa, Judi Love, Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan and Bob Mortimer. The latest season featured Fatiha El-Ghorri, Jason Mantzoukas, Matthew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey and Stevie Martin battle it out, with Ghosts actor Mathew crowned the winner. And although season 20's line-up has only just been announced, with the series yet to air later this year, Alex has already teased the following instalment. In an interview with Radio Times , he shared: 'There are two things that are new. We're filming somewhere as well as the house – somewhere that's pretty mad." He then added: "And we have a special guest this series from somewhere exotic who you'll recognise. That's all I can say." He went on to tell the publication: "20's coming out soon. All going well. We're just in the middle of filming the next one and I'm still enjoying it. I'm still weirdly finding it exciting." Though there's no telling who that could be, fans were left delighted when the season 20 line-up dropped. It will see Ania Magliano, Maisie Adam, Phil Ellis, Reece Shearsmith and Sanjeev Bhaskar go head to head to be named champion, while a New Year 's special is also presumed to air, with past specials having seen the likes of Claudia Winkleman, Sir Mo Farah, Carol Vorderman, Martin Lewis and Rylan Clark take part. After a teaser showing the five new comedians filming a task for season 20, as part of the line-up announcement, fans were left delighted. One wrote: 'My prayers have been answered I have wanted maisie adam on taskmaster for so long.' Another said: 'Oh this is going to be GOOD!!' 'FINALLY REECE OH MY GOD IVE WAITED MY WHOLE LIFE FOR THIS,' a fourth commented. Meanwhile, Horrible Histories star Mathew reflected on his win in a recent interview with Metro, and revealed his plans to return. 'I'm just really happy. I was having so much fun…,' he shared. After a suggestion of returning for the Champion of Champions series, which has the previous winners battle it out against each other, he added: 'I did start thinking, oh, it would be really nice [to win] because winning means a repeat of the experience. The number one thing about winning is thinking, Oh, great, I get to go back. 'I guess the only sadness about getting to go back is that I won't be sat with those guys [the season 19 contestants] because they were so much fun.'
CBC
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Why Jason Mantzoukas thought his 'big and brash' comedic persona would work on Taskmaster
When Jason Mantzoukas got the chance to appear on Taskmaster, one of his favourite TV shows, he didn't want to play along normally. He wanted to be the ugly American villain who creates chaos. Taskmaster is a long-running British panel game show that follows five comedians as they attempt to complete a series of unique and ridiculous challenges, which are then scored by comedian Greg Davies (the titular Taskmaster) in front of a live audience. "It is such a dumb, silly, funny show to watch," Mantzoukas tells Q 's Tom Power in an interview. "To explain it seems like a Byzantine series of roundabouts … when in reality, it is so dead simple: it's a comedy show. It's a comedy show masquerading as a game show." WATCH | Taskmaster Season 19, Episode 1: Though Taskmaster mostly features British and Irish comedians, Mantzoukas is not the show's first American contestant. He is, however, the first contestant to not be based in the U.K. at the time of filming. As a longtime fan of the show, the American actor and comedian reached out to creator Alex Horne to express his interest in appearing on the latest season (or series, as they say in the U.K.). His pitch, he says, was to be as combative and difficult as possible. A lot of the characters I play are lunatics and maniacs. - Jason Mantzoukas "My comedic persona is big and brash and, you know, it can be very outrageous," Mantzoukas says. "A lot of the characters I play are lunatics and maniacs…. I'm a heel, in wrestling terms. I am quite often taking shots, being a villain, and I felt like that would work on the show." At times, Mantzoukas drops the ugly American persona (he says all of the comedians occasionally drop their personas because they're genuinely having so much fun), but his Americanisms are always on full display. Throughout the show, he's regularly ribbed by Davies and Horne for his American pronunciation of words like "vase" and "route." "This happens throughout the whole series — or season — which is I'm saying an American pronunciation [and] they correct me with a British [pronunciation]," he says. "I don't know how many were edited out, but it gets played a lot because it works and it's always a surprise." During the COVID lockdowns of 2020, Taskmaster started uploading all of its episodes to YouTube, which helped the show become a global phenomenon. But the panel show format has never quite caught on across the pond in the U.S or English-speaking Canada. An American version of Taskmaster was created in 2018, but it only lasted one season. Mantzoukas thinks the reason why the American version of the show failed is due to structural changes that eliminated the "freewheeling banter" of the original show. "I don't think it was an audience problem," he says. "[Comedy Central] messed with the architecture of the show so much as to make it, I think, untenable…. I think Americans make the mistake of trying to apply too much structure and too much attention on points, when in reality the points are meaningless and the structure is loose. By focusing on structure and points, you strangle what's funny about it."
