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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9. Mark Watson
Mark Watson appeared in Series 5 of Taskmaster, finishing joint second with 130 points. He's pulling a triple shift this year. First up there's another chance to see last year's acclaimed show 'Before It Overtakes Us' at the Pleasance Grand from August 27-29. Then he has a work in progress show at the The Stand from August 20-30. Finally, there's a kid's show, 'Mark Watson Tries to Impress Children, for Some Reason' at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 5-16. Sounds exhausting! | Contributed
10. Nish Kumar
Former Mash Report host Nish Kumar is back in Ediunburgh with a work in progress show entitled 'Angry Humour From A Really Nice Guy' at the Monkey Barrel from August 6-30. Kumar appeared in Series 5 of Taskmaster, finishing dead last with 107 points. | Getty Images
11. Richard Herring
Self-styled King of Edinburgh Richard Herring is making a welcome return to the Fringe with his chat show 'RHLSTP' (RHLSTP!) at the Stand from August 5-16. There will be a new guest (or two) every day. Rich won series 10 of Taskmaster in 2020 with 162 points, before also triumphing in 2022's Champion of Champions II, with 17 points. | Getty Images
12. Rosie Jones
Rosie Jones was a big hit in series 18 of Taskmaster in 2024, despite finishing last with 137 points. Long an Edinburgh favourite, she's back with the show she brought to last year's Fringe as a work in progress. 'I Can't Tell What She's Saying' is on at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 5-30. | Getty Images for The National Lo