The New Year Treat is a beloved tradition, a chance for Alex Horne and Greg Davies to drag non-comedians into their delightful world of pain. Unlike the regular series, this one-off special usually features a lineup of well-known faces from other fields. Think athletes, actors, and TV presenters, all rapidly losing their dignity over some potatoes and a confusing instruction.
Past lineups have included Olympic gold medalists and national treasures, proving that no level of fame protects you from Greg’s withering judgment. The beauty is in the unpredictability. You never know who will crack under the pressure of re-creating a sound using only their face, or who will inexplicably excel at memorizing a sequence of household objects.
Who Might Be in the 2026 Lineup?
Channel 4 is famously tight-lipped about the contestants until the very last moment, preserving the surprise. However, based on the show’s history of booking ‘national treasures’ and recent sports stars, we can make some educated guesses. Expect a mix of a beloved actor, a retired sportsperson, and perhaps a reality TV icon looking to prove they have real skills (spoiler: they won’t).
Word on the grapevine—and by that, we mean the hyper-specific corners of Taskmaster forums—suggests a strong musical element this year. Don’t be shocked if someone is asked to compose a jingle for a toaster. The casting is genuinely half the fun, as it forces you to re-evaluate your opinion of people you thought you knew.
Taskmaster's New Year Treat 2026 line-up: Confirmed contestants | Radio
