Taskmaster series 16: release date on Channel 4 and contestants with Sue Perkins and Julian Clary

Taskmaster series 16 will be dropping on our screens tonight (21 September) and fans are in for a treat.

Immediately after the Taskmaster Series 15 finale, Channel 4 revealed who will be taking part in series 16 of Taskmaster. The celebrity line-up will include comedians such as Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins, and Susan Wokoma, who will compete against one another to win the Golden Greg Davies’ Head trophy.

So, who are the contestants and where might you know them from. Here’s everything you need to know about Taskmaster season 16.

When can I watch Taskmaster series 16?

Taskmaster series 16 will be available to watch on Channel 4 tonight from 9pm. There will nine episodes in the series, airing weekly up until 23 November.

What tasks will they face?

Channel 4 gave fans an insight into what you can expect from the new series. In a statement they said: “This fragrant five will wrangle giant ducks, design fresh sausages and create googly-eyed gangs as they seek to attract a word of praise from the Taskmaster.”

Who are the Taskmaster series 16 contestants?

Julian Clary  

Who are they? Julian Clary is an actor, performer, and author, best known for his appearances on the Channel 4 alternative comedy series Friday Night Live.

Where do I know them from? You’ll recognise Clary from guest appearances on programmes like QI, This Is Your Life, Neighbours, and Who Do You Think You Are. He also famously won the tenth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2012.

What’s a fun fact about them? Clary lived at Goldenhurst Farm, a manor house once owned by Noël Coward, between 2016 and 2018.

Lucy Beaumont 

Who are they? Lucy Beaumont is a writer and stand-up comedian, best known for playing an exaggerated version of herself in the Dave sitcom Meet the Richardsons (in which she stars alongside her husband and former Taskmaster contestant Jon Richardson).

Where do I know them from? Onscreen, Beaumont is probably best known for Meet the Richardsons, though you might also recognise her from appearances on QI, 8 out of 10 Cats, and The Weakest Link. As a writer, you might know her series Hullraisers, which is currently filming its second season.

What’s a fun fact about them? Beaumont and Richardson were introduced to one another by fellow comedian – and original Taskmaster contestant – Roisin Conaty.

Sam Campbell 

Who are they? Sam Campbell is an Australian stand-up comedian, and recent winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s main prize for his comedy show, simply titled Comedy Show.

Where do I know them from? Outside of his stand-up career, Campbell is best known for playing paramedic Darrell on the Sky comedy series Bloods (one half of a double act with Kevin Garry’s Daryl). You might also recognise him from Stath Lets Flats, where he played Nile in Season 2.

What’s a fun fact about them? According to Campbell, his parents once planned to give him horse hormones to make him grow as a small child (though this could admittedly have been a joke).

Sue Perkins 

Who are they? Sue Perkins is a comedian and television presenter, perhaps still best known as one of the hosts of The Great British Bake Off alongside Mel Giedroyc.

Where do I know them from? Away from Bake Off and her partnership with Giedroyc, you’ll know Perkins as the host/presenter of panel shows like Insert Name Here, Thronescast, and The Generation Game. She also narrated Don’t Scare the Hare, and competed on The Masked Singer as Dragon.

What’s a fun fact about them? After competing in the classical music themed reality show Maestro in 2008, Perkins has gone on to become a regular guest conductor for orchestras including the Dinnington Colliery Band, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Orion Orchestra, and the London Gay Symphony Orchestra.

Susan Wokoma

Who are they? Susan Wokoma is an actor and writer, best known for lead roles in Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum and Netflix’s Enola Holmes films.

Where do I know them from? You’ll recognise Wokoma from leading roles in the historical comedy Year of the Rabbit and supernatural comedy Truth Seekers, as well as guest appearances in Crashing, Uncle, and Toast of London among others. More recently, she’s appeared in the BBC One drama Cheaters.

What’s a fun fact about them? Wokoma made her television debut at 14, appearing in the CBBC documentary Serious Jungle in 2002.