# Taskmaster New Year Treat Reveals Celebrity Contestant Lineup Five famous figures compete for the Golden Eyebrows trophy in upcoming special. - **Source:** [The Independent – Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/45dc0662-e445-4f8c-9da6-fbb80616179c ## Celebrity Lineup Announced The upcoming Taskmaster New Year Treat features five distinct celebrities competing for the coveted Golden Eyebrows trophy. The lineup includes TV presenter Alison Hammond, singer Chesney Hawkes, social media personality Francis Bourgeois, BBC newsreader Maryam Moshiri, and criminal barrister Rob Rinder. They will face various challenges orchestrated by Greg Davies and Alex Horne. ## Show Format Overview Taskmaster involves a panel of five celebrities participating in a series of eccentric tasks designed to test their creativity and logic. Greg Davies serves as the titular Taskmaster, awarding points based on his subjective judgment, while Alex Horne assists in managing the logistics. The show originally premiered in 2015 on Dave before moving to Channel 4. ## Diverse Contestant Backgrounds The contestants bring varied professional experiences to the competition. Alison Hammond currently co-hosts The Great British Bake Off, while Chesney Hawkes is known for his chart-topping debut single. Francis Bourgeois has transitioned into television hosting, Maryam Moshiri brings decades of broadcasting experience, and Rob Rinder offers his background as a high-profile criminal barrister. ## Broadcast Timing Uncertainty While the cast for the New Year special has been officially confirmed, the specific broadcast date remains unannounced. Fans of the long-running series are waiting for further scheduling details from Channel 4. The programme continues its successful run, with the 22nd series having commenced its broadcast schedule in September 2026. ## Expansion to Live Stages Beyond the television special, the Taskmaster franchise is expanding into live performances. Greg Davies and Alex Horne are scheduled to perform Taskmaster Live On Stage at the AO Arena in Manchester on 26 May. This will be followed by a performance at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on 22 June next year. ## Live Show Dynamics The upcoming live production will feature special guests as contestants, with additional spots available for audience members to join the action. This format follows a successful trial run in America earlier this year, where tickets for the live event sold out in just 13 minutes, demonstrating the strong international appeal of the show. ## Davies on Live Performances Greg Davies expressed excitement regarding the move to larger, illustrious venues for the live stage tour. He noted that while the scale feels daunting, it also feels like a natural progression for the show. Davies jokingly promised that his judgments would remain even-handed for everyone involved, with the notable exception of his assistant Alex. ## Franchise Continued Growth The transition from a niche comedy show to a major live touring production highlights the enduring popularity of the Taskmaster format. By blending television specials with interactive live events, the production team continues to engage a broad audience. The series remains a staple of British comedy, consistently evolving its delivery and engagement strategies. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/taskmasters-new-years-treat-celebrities-contestants-b3079967.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._