Taskmaster to feature Bolton's Sophie Willan in new series

It comes as the new line-up of comedians for the 17th series of the comedy game show was revealed.

Sophie Willan will b joined by presenter Joanne McNally (My Therapist Ghosted Me), award-winning comedian and BBC Radio 5 Live radio presenter John Robins, actor, and comedian Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), and award-winning actor and writer Steve Pemberton (Inside No. 9).

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Preparing themselves to compete in the challenges, this gutsy group’s efforts will be overseen by Lord Greg Davies accompanied by a Little Alex Horne scuttling by his side.

After completing the challenges, Greg the ‘Taskmaster’ will judge the work, and award points based on the contestants’ performances.

Over the past year, the BAFTA and National Comedy Award winning series triumphed as one of Channel 4’s most popular programmes, coming in as the channel’s third most streamed title of the year with 2.3 billion viewing minutes recorded across all series watched in 2023.

Sophie is a BAFTA winning actress, narrator, writer, and comedian, has appeared on several shows throughout her career in TV and theatre, including Class Dismissed, and Alma’s Not Normal, which has been filmed in Bolton.

There is no official date for when the series will air, but according to a Tweet from Taskmaster, the new series is ‘coming soon’.

New year. New #Taksmaster. Five new comedians out standing in their field.

Series 17, coming soon to Channel 4, with @jomcnally, @nomadicrevery, @nickmohammed, Sophie Willan and @SP1nightonly. pic.twitter.com/6VGMQTSRU8

— Taskmaster (@taskmaster) January 14, 2024

The new trailer shows the comedians hilariously dressed up on a field with horses attempting to complete the task.

Executive Producers for the series are Alex Horne, Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, James Taylor, Jon Thoday and Andy Devonshire (The Apprentice and The Great British Bake Off), who also acts as Series Director, while Andy Cartwright is Series Producer. Commissioned for Channel 4 by Head of Live Events, Tom Beck and Head of Entertainment, Steve Handley.

Sophie has recently been back to her old haunts for the filming of the second series of Alma's Not Normal.

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