Joel Dommett and Armando Iannucci take on exclusive Taskmaster task – here’s Alex Horne’s verdict

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With Easter just around the corner, Alex Horne unexpectedly arrived at TopMob with a sealed task, four gold envelopes, and a rather unusual gift – six eggs! It seems like a quirky way to celebrate.

To mark the start of Taskmaster’s 21st season on Channel 4 – launching Thursday, April 9th, shortly after Easter – Alex Horne has designed a special task just for RT readers.

To really get a feel for the game, we asked two of this year’s Taskmaster contestants – Armando Iannucci and Joel Dommett – to give it a try. And to make things extra special, we’ve got an official trophy: a bunny-eared Greg Davies! We’re calling it ‘Easter Greg’.

How did they do? Read on to find out.

Armando Iannucci

Armando almost immediately dropped an egg, which should have ended the challenge, but he chose to keep going. Even with a helpful hint, he couldn’t find the hard-boiled egg and ended up breaking another raw one – a complete double-failure! He laughed and said, “Thanks a lot… it’s good to be back.”

This feels a bit like a post-match interview… How do you rate your task performance today?

You’re not known for being “yourself” on TV shows, so why do Taskmaster?

I’m often described as a political comedian who uses satire and strong language, and that’s true to an extent. But I also enjoy creating silly and absurd content. Think about Alan Partridge – he’s intentionally ridiculous. I even did a show, The Armando Iannucci Shows, that was largely based on that kind of humor. I tend to write about seemingly normal, even respectable, people behaving foolishly, and I figured it was time I joined them in that category.

Were you a fan before?

It’s one of my favorites! My family and I have been watching it since it began. I was a little hesitant when I was asked to be on the show, but I immediately said yes because it’s such a warm and welcoming program. You can really let loose and not worry about making mistakes – it’s all part of the fun.

You’re surrounded by Easter paraphernalia, but do you celebrate Easter?

We used to have Easter traditions like egg hunts when my kids were little, but they’re all grown now. I’ve realized that as you get older – and I don’t want to dwell on being an older gentleman too much – you can enjoy chocolate any time you want! You don’t have to save it for Easter.

Joel Dommett

Joel carefully worked through the riddles, pausing to decipher “Egg a’boiled?” which turned out to be “Egg A: boiled.” He also used a minute to ask for a hint, but the “mystery envelope” just contained a photo of Greg Davies and Alex Horne. A hidden message under the egg cups revealed the words “Manufactured in Denmark.” Finally, frustrated, Joel decided to smash a raw egg on his head, and then another. Apparently, it’s good for your hair…

Let’s just say things don’t go smoothly when you’re asked to work with eggs in the new series… Eggs and you don’t seem to mix well on Taskmaster!

No, not really. I enjoy eating eggs – they’re a great source of protein. But lately, they just remind me of something unpleasant.

How did you find our task today?

I really enjoyed it! I usually try to find the smartest approach, but sometimes that overcomplicates things for me, and I end up just diving in headfirst. It’s like, once I’ve started, I might as well go all out – like throwing two eggs instead of one, why not?

Were you a fan of the show before you joined?

As a huge comedy fan – and I think a lot of us who do comedy are – this show is just amazing. It really lets you peek inside a comedian’s brain and see how they work through things, often in a hilariously flawed way – which feels especially relevant these days!

It’s very festive in here – do you celebrate Easter?

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Alex Horne’s verdict

The challenge was simple to judge – both contestants failed to earn any points. It was a straightforward logic puzzle: the solution involved opening a hint envelope, even though it would take the most time. I predicted they wouldn’t choose that option, and I was right, which was satisfying. I often feel pleased with myself when this happens on the show.

I tried this challenge out with my kids, and two of them successfully found the right egg. One of them, like a certain someone, just broke the wrong one! While those two didn’t do so well, it was hilariously predictable. The show needs a good mix of everything – someone can simply complete the task, and that’s okay. But if everyone did that without any personality, it wouldn’t be fun to watch. Luckily, they delivered – it was exactly what we needed.

This challenge could actually appear on the show, so if you’re someone who might be a contestant in the future, this gives you a head start! I like to try out these tasks whenever I get the chance, because you never know what might happen.

Photographer: Rob Parfitt @rob_parfitt_photography

HMU: Bryony Blake @bryony_blake

HMU: Holly Davies @hollylouisehmua

Set Dressing: Propped Up @propped_up_ltd

The new series of Taskmaster begins on Channel 4 at 9pm on Thursday, April 9th. You can also watch past series on Channel 4’s streaming service.

Don’t miss Taskmaster! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and features.

Authors

Huw FullertonCommissioning Editor

Huw Fullerton works as a Commissioning Editor at TopMob magazine, where he focuses on content related to Entertainment, Comedy, and specialized Dramatic productions.

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2026-04-01 10:43