The 20 Best Players in Taskmaster History (So Far)

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More than any other game show, Taskmaster really hinges on a feeling, a certain energy. While contestants earn points and a winner is crowned each season, the truly great Taskmaster players aren’t just competitive – they’re genuinely funny and let their personalities shine. Some win by completing tasks well, but others win simply by being captivating and memorable.

Over twenty seasons of the original U.K. Taskmaster, every contestant has been entertaining in their own way. However, the truly exceptional players aren’t afraid to be both fiercely competitive and hilariously silly – often at the same time! The following contestants embody that perfect balance, earning them a place in the Taskmaster Hall of Fame.

20.
Sophie Duker (Series 13)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=XKB84SuntcM

Though Greg Davies is credited as the host of Taskmaster, Alex Horne actually interacts with the contestants much more. As the “Taskmaster’s Assistant” and the creator of the show, Alex is present for every task, leading to a unique connection with each player – almost like an instant comedic partnership. Over time, some players have playfully turned this into a funny rivalry, with Sophie Duker taking it to another level. While she wasn’t mean-spirited, the series 13 winner constantly teased Alex, from chasing him around obstacles to inventing awkward “icebreaker” games. She was not only skilled at completing tasks but also incredibly adept at playing Alex, making their scenes together consistently entertaining.

19.
John Robins (Series 17)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=agvjWW4y4Ic

Throughout the series, we see many Taskmaster contestants who struggle with the challenges or prioritize having fun over following Alex Horne’s precise instructions. The show isn’t really about winning at all costs, but occasionally someone appears who just seems to instinctively understand how the games work and excels at them. John Robins, the winner of series 17, is a perfect example of this. He consistently demonstrates skill – like with darts – and cleverly finds loopholes in the tasks, all while being friendly and charismatic (often wearing a Freddie Mercury jacket!). While not the first contestant to dominate, he’s been the most successful and one of the most endearing players in Taskmaster history.

18.
Rosie Jones (Series 18)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=zRS6oiqEa_o

Comedian Rosie Jones explained on the show Taskmaster that she feels pressured to always appear cheerful, joking that people assume she’s unwell if she doesn’t smile. This comment, meant as a lighthearted observation about her personality, also highlighted how society often perceives people with disabilities (Jones has cerebral palsy). Throughout her time on the show, she became a fan favorite with her sunny, energetic, and often surprisingly bold personality. She brought a unique mix of competitive spirit and delightfully odd behavior. She wasn’t afraid to be silly – she once brought a coffin with playful decorations for a challenge and even suggested a shared enema with host Greg Davies! A particularly memorable moment came when she was teamed with the more reserved Jack Dee. The resulting image – Dee with his head stuck in a painting while Jones, dressed as a hot dog, declared “It’s Captain Jackie and the Hot Dog!” – became iconic. While other contestants might wait seasons for such a perfect, funny moment, Jones consistently embraced the show’s inherent weirdness and made it her own.

17.
Joe Wilkinson (Series 2)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=MelvH3EMGR0

From the beginning, Taskmaster has been a quirky show, but Joe Wilkinson quickly stood out as a particularly hilarious contestant. He’s best remembered for a memorable failure: he confidently believed he’d successfully thrown a potato into a golf hole, only to discover on camera that he’d accidentally stepped over the line. While winning is good on Taskmaster, losing in a spectacularly funny way is arguably even more important – and Wilkinson proved this perfectly. After the potato incident, he cemented his status during a challenge to eat a raw egg quickly. Instead of just trying to swallow it, he calmly went to the kitchen and made himself a full breakfast, complete with Dr Pepper! When questioned about the time it took, his response – “Took a hit on that one, mate” – perfectly captured the Taskmaster spirit. That’s how you play the game!

16.
Daisy May Cooper (Series 10)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=1Qvx8x-Pqo0

Taskmaster is a frustratingly fun game show. While it’s hilarious to watch and contestants often say they enjoy playing, the challenges can be incredibly difficult, causing some players to crack under pressure. What makes a contestant truly stand out is being relatable while falling apart. Daisy May Cooper excels at this – she’s famous for her infectious laughter and dramatic screams. She fully committed to every task, like enthusiastically devouring watermelon, and wasn’t afraid to show exactly what she was feeling. A defining moment was her repeated, frustrated shouts of “I love this!” while attempting to make a quiet cocktail, which she ultimately named “Fuck Sake” – a perfect representation of her wonderfully chaotic energy on the show.

15.
Mathew Baynton (Series 19)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=2mDoTLQAlXw

Mathew Baynton, much like John Robins, is a standout competitor in Taskmaster history, winning his season by a significant 15-point margin. But his memorable performance goes beyond just winning. On Taskmaster, contestants choose a specific outfit to wear for all the outdoor tasks, and Baynton arrived fully prepared in athletic gear – complete with very short running shorts! This led to some amusing, albeit blurred, glimpses whenever he had to stretch or get low to the ground. This wasn’t just a funny moment, though. It perfectly captured Baynton’s competitive spirit. He was completely committed to winning, even when it meant embracing awkward or embarrassing situations, whether it was accidentally revealing a little too much or playfully taking on the role of a strict teacher while Alex Horne played the student.

14.
Josh Widdicombe (Series 1)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JSLVVchetrA

Looking back at the first season of Taskmaster is fascinating because it feels like a longer version of the stand-up show Alex Horne originally performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At the time, no one knew if the show would be a success, so everyone was trying to make a strong impression. This is especially clear in how Josh Widdicombe, the first champion, performed. In just six episodes, he did everything from eating a lot of watermelon to brewing tea in a wheelbarrow. But his most iconic moment – and the one that really defined the show’s style – came when contestants were challenged to buy the best gift for the Taskmaster with £20. Widdicombe returned with a genuinely permanent gift: he’d gotten the name “Greg” tattooed on his ankle, all for a brand-new game show. You can’t get more Taskmaster than that!

13.
Lou Sanders (Series 8)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=4Bsh9KgYb7E

Lou Sanders arrived on series eight of Taskmaster wearing a bright pink and red jumpsuit that seemed to predict her victory, and she lived up to the expectation throughout the show’s wonderfully chaotic ten episodes. It’s usually tough for contestants to be both truly creative and seriously competitive, but Sanders managed to do both. She’d do incredibly odd things – like trying to push a brick into a bowl of water, ducks, and toys – but still consistently win, memorably throwing a frying pan perfectly across the Taskmaster stage. Her unique and brilliantly silly approach to the tasks created some of the most memorable lines in the show’s history, including the inspired question, “Will he notice me if I’m a bin?”

12.
Mae Martin (Series 15)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=VRSeRe4aOAw

Some contestants on Taskmaster immediately stand out with their energy and confidence. Others are quieter at first, but quickly reveal a surprising knack for understanding what the tasks require. Mae Martin was definitely one of the latter – and became one of the most endearing players the show has ever seen. They were reserved and a little anxious, something many talented people can relate to when navigating adulthood. But they tackled each challenge with a surprising amount of passion. From performing mentalism with Alex to playing the drums with a ball on a string and shooting a marble the length of the Taskmaster house in one breath, Martin’s creativity seemed endless. Their humor and genuine kindness were contagious. Watching them, you couldn’t help but root for them – and they delivered, ultimately winning the series 15 championship.

11.
Ed Gamble (Series 9)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=rwI281O3_CQ

Ed Gamble arrived on Taskmaster determined to win, sporting a full denim outfit and a fiercely competitive attitude that sometimes came across as confrontational. This drive led to some of the show’s funniest and most memorable moments. For instance, when faced with a particularly difficult task requiring seven steps in an unknown order, he struggled immensely, but his chaotic attempt was pure comedy. Another hilarious scene involved a live task where he became visibly frustrated with his teammate David Baddiel’s lack of focus. These moments showcased a player who was fully invested in the game and brilliantly used his own exasperation for comedic effect. It’s clear he’s a huge fan of the show, and he even went on to host the official Taskmaster podcast.

10.
Rhod Gilbert (Series 7)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Rt6UM2LSWqk

Rhod Gilbert arrived on Taskmaster prepared to cause trouble – his comedic timing and existing friendship with the hosts definitely helped! He didn’t let anyone down. While many contestants playfully annoy Alex, Rhod was unique in consistently teasing both Alex and Greg throughout each episode. He constantly looked for ways to bend the rules of every task, famously making Alex wear a bikini bottom and repeatedly presenting a photo of Greg in his underwear as a prize-task offering. His playful teasing and occasional self-sabotage were unlike anything seen on the show before, culminating in what many consider its best ever prize-task reveal. After weeks of tormenting Greg with underwear pictures, Rhod revealed he’d snuck into Greg’s house, hidden in the closet, and filmed him sleeping! No other contestant has ever gotten away with so much, solidifying Rhod Gilbert as a Taskmaster legend.

9.
Fern Brady (Series 14)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=92AZ0OJozaU

Fern Brady instantly won over viewers when she arrived on Taskmaster with a unique, unforgettable look. Throughout series 14, she consistently delivered hilarious quotes and memorable moments, simply by being herself. From giving a tarot reading for the entire season to dissolving into laughter during an easy task, she was a constant source of amusement. Her creativity shone in challenges like composing lyrics to a classic tune, and her relatable reactions – like breaking down in laughter while watching herself fail a simple task and questioning reality – perfectly captured the show’s chaotic energy.

8.
Guz Khan (Series 12)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=vrgNWB1yVew

Guz Khan came incredibly close to winning series 12 of Taskmaster, losing to Morgana Robinson by just one point. While he was competitive, what really made him popular was how hilariously clueless he seemed throughout the show. He treated Alex Horne, the Taskmaster’s assistant, like a teammate, playfully blaming him for failures and celebrating his successes – creating one of the show’s best player-assistant relationships. This dynamic peaked when he had to hit a moving Alex with a ball, and his strategy was simply yelling Alex’s name repeatedly until Alex reacted. However, his most memorable moment came during a team task where he was supposed to communicate with Morgana Robinson and Desiree Burch using walkie-talkies. Instead, he got completely distracted talking about his own personal “revelations,” leading to the unforgettable question: “Who the fuck is Veronica?!” That single line alone cements his status as a Taskmaster legend.

7.
Kerry Godliman (Series 7)

Series 7 is considered one of the strongest groups of contestants ever on Taskmaster, and Kerry Godliman won them all with a determined, yet surprisingly sweet, straightforward approach. While she sometimes chose the most obvious solution to each task, her consistent success and signature phrase – “Bosh!” – proved to be a winning combination. She excelled at tasks like a quick costume change (thanks to her focus on Velcro!), cleverly drew a perfect circle by walking in the snow, and brilliantly recreated Tetris, even capturing the frustration of a block pileup. She tackled everything with focused energy, becoming one of the most effective and delightfully cheerful players the show has seen.

6.
Sam Campbell (Series 16)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=qHOpQzwR_l8

Sam Campbell is definitely one of the most unusual contestants to ever appear on Taskmaster, and while Lucy Beaumont might be even stranger, he’s certainly the weirdest winner the show has ever seen – instantly deserving a place in its hall of fame! He often seemed confused by the whole premise of the show, once even asking the host if they didn’t have other things to film. But at other times, he fully embraced the chaos, like when he had a stranger call him “Dr. Cigarette” for a task. Mostly, though, Sam was just uniquely himself. A perfect example is when he was asked to bring in something impressive after a drumroll; he proudly announced “Cobalt!” and then launched into a story about low-flying planes in Australia. When pressed on where he got the cobalt, he simply said ‘online’ and explained his tangent by saying everyone else was sharing stories too. Sam Campbell is one of a kind, and we hope he never changes.

5.
Mike Wozniak (Series 11)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=E8uAY2d1ADM

What makes Taskmaster so enjoyable is how it breaks the typical image of British people being reserved and understated, even in their humor. Mike Wozniak initially seemed to fit that mold – always in a suit and tie, and approaching challenges with a calm, practical attitude. But Taskmaster has a way of changing people, and throughout the series, Wozniak’s restraint gradually disappeared. He embraced the silliness, wholeheartedly throwing himself into tasks like trying to fart as fast as possible, balancing plates on a hoverboard, and famously giving himself a mohawk to appear “tough.” It’s clear why he was a natural choice to be the Taskmaster’s Assistant when the show created a spinoff for kids, Taskmaster Junior. He brings the same playful energy as Alex Horne, and it’s a joy to watch.

4.
Noel Fielding (Series 4)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=6obm_UIifpY

It’s no surprise Noel Fielding excelled on Taskmaster. Known for mixing quirky creativity with widespread appeal from his work on The Mighty Boosh and The Great British Bake Off, he was a perfect fit when he joined the show in its fourth series. He immediately demonstrated his talent, combining playful imagination with mischievous fun – like digitally shrinking himself to hide amongst bananas or hilariously ruining a cake by washing it in a machine! However, his most memorable moment came during an ‘exotic sandwich’ task: he attached bread to either side of Alex Horne’s head and then ate some of Alex’s hair when asked to consume his creation. Given his established career, none of this is shocking, but it was a brilliant pairing of personality and show format, making for truly delightful television.

3.
Jason Mantzoukas (Series 19)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=mwNMJ9q-2nM

Much like Survivor, Taskmaster has evolved from a show full of people learning as they go to a show in which fans of the series’ history can become players themselves. Jason Mantzoukas, one of the few North American players so far, is the finest expression of that phenomenon yet. A superfan of the series who requested a spot on the show, Mantzoukas came in perhaps hoping to win but more importantly, hoping to embrace his personal motto of “Destroy, Dismantle, Engulf in Flames.” He embodied this ethos in his very first task, where he prefaced everything else he did by asking if he could climb on the roof (he couldn’t) and kept it going through ten weeks of absolute comedy bedlam. He knocked cameras over and proudly shouted, “I care nothing for your cameras!” He got past Taskmaster contestant Aisling Bea to send in a plaster cast of her breasts for a prize task. He still tried to get on the roof even when they told him he couldn’t. And most impressively, in a task where he was meant to place something in an unexpected place, he used Taskmaster alum Nish Kumar as a body double and hid himself (nude, of course) in a cupboard. A fan of the show who became one of its greatest, and most destructive, players, Mantzoukas set a new bar for maximizing chaos.

2.
Liza Tarbuck (Series 6)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=IJ7pHfLSB9I

Liza Tarbuck consistently brought playful mischief to Taskmaster, ultimately winning series six with her wit, resourcefulness, and clever rule-bending. She had a knack for brilliantly simple solutions – like using her scarf as a hat when she needed one but didn’t have access to a clock. Her creativity was delightfully unexpected too; she once drew a suggestive dot-to-dot picture and jokingly claimed it was inspired by ancient Roman signs! But even all that pales in comparison to the moment she convinced Alex Horne to sit on a cake. That single act cemented her legendary status with fans, and honestly, she could have done nothing else on the show and still deserved a place among Taskmaster‘s greatest contestants.

1.
Bob Mortimer (Series 5)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=emz6GVWvJlo

Many believe Bob Mortimer is the funniest person alive, or at least in the UK. He consistently steals the show on programs like Last One Laughing, Would I Lie to You?, and Travel Man with his unique, playfully eccentric style. He’s so naturally funny that he can make even notoriously deadpan Richard Ayoade crack up, and this talent made him a phenomenal Taskmaster contestant. While he won the series five trophy through skill and creativity, it’s the small, unexpected moments that truly define his comedy. He’s capable of grand, memorable performances – like breaking an apple with his bare hands – but he’s just as likely to have you in stitches with a simple wink or a quick, witty comment. He’s truly the best Taskmaster player ever, a true king of the show, and his ability to deliver both big laughs and subtle humor is what makes him so special. From telling stories about filling ferries with outlandish things to whispering odd phrases, Bob Mortimer consistently elevates every show he’s on.

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2026-06-12 19:01