August is approaching which means it’s time to scour the Edinbugh Festival Fringe programme for the best shows to see.
For fans of the hugely popular television series Taskmaster it’s tempting to see at least a couple of familiar faces from a show that was originally created as a Fringe show by Alex Horne.
Since then there have been 17 series, along with a number of special one-off episodes - first broadcast in 2014 on comedy channel Dave, before expanding its audience after being poached by Channel 4 in 2020.
That means there are plenty of former contestants, 13 of which are appearing in Edinburgh this year.
Here’s who to book on the Fringe website.
9. Nish Kumar
Former Mash Report host Nish Kumar will be at the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club with, guess what, a work in progress show, entitled 'Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe' from August 2-25. In 2017, Kumar appeared in Series 5 of Taskmaster, finishing last with 107 points. | Getty Images
10. Rose Matafeo
Former Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, and Starstruck writer and star, Rose Matafeo appeared in Series 9 of Taskmaster, finishing second with 159 points. She then became the Taskmaster for Junior Taskmaster, with Mike Wozniak as her assistant. She's in Edinburgh with her new show 'On and On and On' from August 9-25 at the Pleasance Forth. | Getty Images
11. Sara Pascoe
Former Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Sara Pascoe's inevitable work in progress show this year in Edinburgh is called "Am A Strange Gloop' and is on at the Monkey Barrel from July 30 to August 9. In 2016, Pascoe appeared in Series 3 of Taskmaster, finishing fourth with 72 points. | Contributed
12. Sophie Duker
Sophie Duker's new show 'BUT DADDY I LOVE HER' will be on at the Pleasance Cabaret bar for a full Fringe run from July 30 to August 25. "The sexiest comic alive (please do not factcheck!) brings her delusional new show to the Fringe". In 2022, Duker appeared as a contestant on Series 13 of Taskmaster, winning with 173 points. She returned in 2024 for Champion of Champions III, finishing second with 21 points. | Getty Images