YOUR TIME STARTS NOW: TASKMASTER'S ALEX HORNE TO FRONT FULL SERIES OF CHANNEL 4 GAMESHOW FOLLOWING PILOT

Following a successful pilot, Channel 4 have commissioned a series of the new play-at-home gameshow, Your Time Starts Now (w/t). The new 8x60’ series is devised and developed by Alex Horne, creator and host of BAFTA and Rose D’Or winning Taskmaster and Andy Devonshire, founding Series Director on shows including The Apprentice, The Great British Bake Off and Taskmaster.

Set in the Taskmaster universe, the new show builds on the at-home ingenuity of earlier incarnation The Button, which Horne devised and narrated in 2018, and HomeTasking that saw Horne on a mission to entertain a world stuck in 2020’s lockdown.  

Your Time Starts Now will see UK households compete against one another while tackling a host of his typically devious tasks without ever leaving their homes. Five teams of friends and families across the UK will need to display creativity, lateral thinking, speed, knowledge and teamwork if they want to win.

Each task has a cash reward and the household with the most money at the end of the episode has a choice to leave with their winnings or play for double that amount the following week, meaning someone could win a potential cash prize of millions at the end of the series.

Alex Horne, creator and host, said: “I often hear about friends, families, colleagues and teammates doing our Tasks on holidays or at weddings, scout camps and Christmas dinners, but I seldom hear that these people have sought permission to do so. Now, finally, we will harness the country and be able to set challenges within a rigorous framework so that the rules are properly adhered to, everyone is judged appropriately and the best rightfully rewarded. Also, I think it's going be very fun for everyone, and that's got to be a good thing”.

Jon Thoday, Executive Producer at Avalon, said: “It’s an absolute delight to have the backing of Channel 4 to realise a new show from Alex Horne and Andy Devonshire and their amazing team”.

Tom Beck, Head of Live Events and Commissioning Editor said: “The pilot delivered laughter, warmth, comedy and families arguing over why they’d failed to nail an obviously ludicrous task.  It’s joyful! Roll on the series.”

Andy Devonshire, Director and Executive Producer, added: “Time waits for no one, so you may as well be doing tasks. This is a chance for everyone to have a go without leaving the house”.

Meanwhile, Channel 4 have commissioned a further six series of Taskmaster to air across three years. The recommission also includes New Year and Champion Of Champion specials.

The mighty Taskmaster Greg Davies, under the vigilant observation of Little Alex Horne, will both return as hosts. The deal also includes full episodes on Channel 4’s YouTube channel for a UK audience.

Tom Beck, Head of Live Events and Commissioning Editor, said: “Taskmaster is the most creative, funny and frankly ludicrous show on telly; I’m delighted to enable their silly brilliance for another three years”.

Alex Horne, the show’s creator and host commented: “I’m pleased and quite stressed that I’ve got to come up with a lot more tasks for a lot more comedians but the thought of three more years in Greg’s deep embrace is soothing my little head”.

The Taskmaster, Greg Davies said: “I am delighted the comedian meat grinder remains open for business. I look forward to gleefully keeping it fed with the help of a small, introverted man that I own.”

Jon Thoday, executive producer, said: “It is fantastic to be renewing our successful UK partnership with Channel 4. The brilliance of Alex, Greg, the production team, along with the excellent comedians, keep this show delighting and surprising viewers every series.”

The fearless five who have signed up to leave all dignity at the door and demo upcoming series, demonstrating their nerve, cunning, and dexterity are: Comedian, actor and writer Amy Gledhill; BAFTA and Emmy award winning writer, director, and broadcaster Armando Iannucci; Presenter, broadcaster and actress Joanna Page; Comedian and presenter Joel Dommett; and Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated writer, actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani.

Each of these competitors will step forward with a healthy mix of respect, fear and a keen desire to lay claim to Greg’s golden head, struck in what is potentially 24-carat gold, and become the next Taskmaster Champion.

Taskmaster is available on Channel 4.