Taskmaster has always attracted LGBTQIA+ icons
BY KLARA FERRAIOLI-SCHUBERT, IMAGE BY CHANNEL 4
Last week, many Taskmaster fans were sad to see series 20 come to a close, with a finale as chaotic and absurd as ever. Thankfully, this blow was softened with the announcement that this year’s New Year Treat would be a two-part special, with Lioness Jill Scott announced as a contestant.
This isn’t Scott’s first TV appearance – since her retirement from football after winning the Women’s Euro 2022, Scott secured another win as champion of the 2022 series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and appeared also as a team captain on A League of Their Own.
An icon in so many ways, we’re very excited to see how Scott takes on Taskmaster. But the show is no stranger to iconic LGBTQIA+ contestants – here are some of our favourites from over the years…
Mae Martin (season 15)
Mae was the show’s first non-binary contestant and champion. Amidst the chaos of contestants such as Jenny Eclair and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Mae’s cool and airy demeanour offered a rare sense of calm – but that’s not to say they didn’t have some hilarious moments. From the drama of their imaginary friend Sal being boiled alive, faking being a medium and genuinely freaking Alex out, to the “single throw” scandal, Mae was a refreshing presence. My personal favourite? When Greg praises them for really getting into the tasks and “beavering away”. Mae replies: “I beaver away – famously.”
Sophie Duker (season 13)
Is it a surprise that this queer icon was also the champion of her series? There are almost too many hilarious Sophie moments to choose from – although I will never be able to erase the infamous and nauseating “tongue task” from my brain, where she then took first place by such a ridiculous margin. Other key moments include her bleating like a lamb while riding a little go-kart and the legendary House Queens song with Judi Love and Bridget Christie.
Fern Brady (season 14)
Fern is one of many bisexual contestants to grace the Taskmaster stage and her deadpan delivery is unforgettable. Lines like “Have I met these potatoes before?” and “Who invented left and right and what is it for?” capture her signature absurdity. And if you’ve seen her series, chances are you’ll still have “Me Fern Brady, Me Fern Brady” echoing in your brain.
Ania Magliano (season 20)
Ania narrowly lost out to Maisie Adams as the champion of the most recent series, also making her mark as the show’s youngest contestant to date. With her stylish studio outfits and the running gag that she is Greg’s biological daughter, Ania brought a steady stream of strange and brilliant moments, her oddly accurate cat-like yelp being just one. Special mention must go to her always imaginative prize tasks, in particular her exclusive mixtape from the mysterious Ray. Thursday nights won’t be the same with her on our screens.
Rosie Jones (season 18)
It’s hard to know where to start with Rosie. She lit up her series with a uniquely chaotic and honestly depraved sense of humour. Her relationship with sullen and irritable Jack Dee, who she nicknamed “Jackie” gave us so many highlights. A standout moment is the prize task where Rosie draped a pride flag over a coffin and attached two fake breasts with the sign: “Honk if you miss me.” Rosie brought such an incredible energy to Taskmaster.
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