Cliff Notes – Who’s in Taskmaster series 20? Meet the new Channel 4 contestants
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Ania Magliano: A rising star known for her sharp observational humour, Magliano has gained acclaim for her Edinburgh Fringe debut and has written for notable TV shows.
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Maisie Adam: With a blend of autobiographical anecdotes and social commentary, Adam is a regular on panel shows and won the Amused Moose National New Comic Award.
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Phil Ellis: Celebrated for his surreal comedy style, Ellis won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize in 2014 and is known for his unpredictable performances on various comedy platforms.
Who’s in Taskmaster series 20? Meet the new Channel 4 contestants
Everything you need to know about the new Taskmaster contestants as Season 20 begins (Picture: Channel 4)
Taskmaster has finally returned for its 20th season.
Greg Davies and Alex Horne return to oversee another batch of surreal challenges, petty rivalries and flashes of comic genius, as five fresh contestants step into the Taskmaster house.
This year’s line-up is a mix of rising stars and established favourites, bringing together sharp wit, absurd invention and the occasional meltdown.
Expect triumphant brilliance, embarrassing disasters, and the kind of comedy chaos only Taskmaster can deliver.
Here’s a guide to the comedians vying for glory – and the coveted golden bust of Greg’s head.
Ania Magliano
Ania Magliano was a hit at Edinburgh Fringe (Picture: Channel 4)
Ania Magliano is a fast-rising British stand-up comedian and writer. A finalist in Funny Women and 2Northdown New Act of the Year, she has built a reputation for sharp observational humour and witty storytelling.
Magliano’s debut solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe received critical acclaim, and she has also written for television, including Newsjack and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.
Maisie Adam
Maisie Adam is a regular on a fair few panel shows (Picture: Channel 4)
Maisie Adam is an English stand-up comedian, writer, and actor known for her energetic stage presence and quick wit. Breaking through with her debut Edinburgh Fringe show Vague in 2017, she went on to win the Amused Moose National New Comic Award and has since become a regular on panel shows such as Mock the Week, QI, and Have I Got News for You.
Her comedy blends autobiographical anecdotes with social commentary and a Northern charm.
Phil Ellis
Phil Ellis’ comedy style is always surprising (Picture: Channel 4)
Phil Ellis is a British comedian, writer, and actor celebrated for his surreal and unpredictable comedy style. He won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize in 2014 for his children’s show Funz and Gamez, a cult hit known for its anarchic humour.
Ellis has appeared on shows such as Live at the Apollo and Roast Battle, and continues to be a distinctive voice on the UK comedy circuit, mixing absurdist ideas with deadpan delivery.
Reece Shearsmith
Reece Shearsmith has a distinctly dark sense of humour (Picture: Channel 4)
Reece Shearsmith is an English actor, writer, and comedian best known as a member of the darkly comic troupe The League of Gentlemen.
Alongside Steve Pemberton, he co-created and starred in the acclaimed anthology series Inside No. 9, praised for its inventive storytelling and mix of horror and comedy.
Shearsmith’s work often blends macabre humour with psychological depth, establishing him as a distinctive figure in British comedy and drama.
Sanjeev Bhaskar
Sanjeev Bhaskar even has an OBE (Picture: Channel 4)
Sanjeev Bhaskar is a British comedian, actor, and writer, best known for creating and starring in the groundbreaking sketch show Goodness Gracious Me and the sitcom The Kumars at No. 42. Both shows challenged stereotypes and brought British Asian humour into the mainstream.
Bhaskar has also had a successful acting career, with roles ranging from comedy to drama, including ITV’s crime drama Unforgotten.
He was awarded an OBE for services to drama and has been a key figure in diversifying British television comedy.
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