August is fast approaching which means it’s time to think about what to see at the Edinbugh Festival Fringe.
The physical programme will launch on June 4, but there are already almost 3,500 shows available to book - meaning it’s already an intimidating task to work out what tickets to bag.
For fans of the hugely popular television series Taskmaster it’s tempting to see at least a couple of familiar faces from the show.
Read more: Edinburgh Fringe 2026 Hot Tickets: Here are all 18 Edinburgh Comedy Award winners returning this year - including Frank Skinner and Rose Matafeo
Presented by Greg Davies and Alex Horne (who also created the programme, originally as a show for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe), the first series of Taskmaster was broadcast in 2014 on comedy channel Dave, before expanding its audience after being poached by Channel 4 in 2020.
In total there have been 20 series (with the 21st currently underway), along with a number of special one-off episodes.
That means there are plenty of former contestants, 13 of whom are appearing in Edinburgh this year.
Here’s who to book on the Fringe website.
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5. Sophie Duker
Sophie Duker won Series 13 of Taskmaster in 2022 and will be back with new show 'Hot Beef Injection' at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 5-30. "Duker’s back on her bullshit. And this time, she’s done with dudes. Promise. The people’s princess of provocation returns with a beefy hour about sex and privilege." | Getty Images
6. Mike Wozniak
Mike Wozniak came second in series 11 of Taskmaster and also presents Junior Taskmaster. You can catch his new show 'The Bench' at the Assembly Hall from August 6-16. "Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required. Let Mike worry about that." | Getty Images
7. Ania Magliano
Ania Magliano appeared in series 20 of Taskmaster and is also on the new Saturday Night Live UK. She's back at the Fringe with her fourth show. 'Peach Fuzz', billed as "fresh gossip about her own body, floatation tanks, Sabrina Carpenter (everyone’s favourite pop girl) and the, Suffragettes (everyone’s favourite girl group), at the Monkey Barrel from August 5-30. | Contributed
8. Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe must have enjoyed his last few visits to Edinburgh last year because he's back with his impov show 'Kiell Smith-Bynoe & Friends: Kool Story Bro'. for the fourth year in a row. It's on at the Pleasance Grand for a limited run from August 20-22. In 2023, Smith-Bynoe appeared as a contestant on Series 15, finishing second with 158 points. He returned in 2024 for Champion of Champions III, filling in for Mae Martin, finishing joint fourth with 15 points. | Getty Images for SAGindie