What's on TV: New Year's Day
Happy Valley
BBC One, 9pm
After a nearly seven-year hiatus, Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) is back on our screens as Happy Valley finally returns for its last ever series.
After a nearly seven-year hiatus, Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) is back on our screens as Happy Valley finally returns for its last ever series.
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But when the duo Zoomed in from a press day in New York — testament to its trans-Atlantic, if not global appeal — there were no signs of a mutiny. The long-suffering sidekick still knew his place.
Read on to hear the true source of Horne’s boundless inspiration for task devising, and a disgruntled Davies ruing his breakfast order.
You’re 17 series in, how has your relationship evolved over the series?
Greg Davies and Alex Horne: Hmm…
Prepare once again for your dad’s favourite comedian to become your favourite comedian. This time round, Steve Pemberton (Inside No. 9) will step up to the plate, alongside Sophie Willan (Alma's Not Normal) and Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso). Joining them are John Robins (Live at the Apollo) and Joanne McNally (Republic of Telly).
In his 20-plus years at the broadcaster, he has led the rebrand of UKTV’s comedy channel to Dave, brought the huge hit Taskmaster to our screens and revived a childhood favourite, Red Dwarf. He also manages the combined BBC Studios and UKTV global compliance team.
What does the job involve?
Setting the editorial direction of the business so we can create distinctive, original, creative, enjoyable channels at UKTV that viewers want to watch.
Do you use gut instinct or data?
From the mind of Vera creator Paul Rutman comes Criminal Record, a stern detective drama focusing on the effects of institutional errors, centring around an old ‘solved’ murder case.
Sat before the tyrant, Davies, and his long-suffering assistant Horne, will be Julian Clary (Friday Night Live), actor, writer and stand-up Lucy Beaumont (Meet the Richardsons), multi-award-winning stand-up Sam Campbell, comedian and former Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins, and actor, writer and director Susan Wokoma (Cheaters).
The debut series, which aired in 2022, won widespread critical acclaim, with the likes of The Guardian saying "this riotously fun sitcom is an utter delight."
For 16 series, Taskmaster Greg Davies has been setting five comedians absurd and surrealist tasks from the comfort of his big red throne, joined by his assistant ‘little’ Alex Horne.
Contestants must earn points by completing tasks such as “be photographed in the most unusual situation wearing this fez” or “conceal this pineapple”, and the one with the most points at the end of the series goes home with a trophy in the shape of Greg Davies’ head.