Steve Pemberton

“I sit in a hot tub and let the bubbles inspire me”: Alex Horne and Greg Davies on 17 series of Taskmaster

Greg Davies sits next to Alex Horne

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…

Contestants confirmed for series 17 of Taskmaster in new trailer

Alex Horne and Greg Davies sit with the contestants of the new series of Taskmaster

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).

Thrills, spills… and kills: inside Inside No. 9

Death. Dancing. Denial. Depression. Dishes best served cold. Who doesn’t love a dark, twisty tale from the BBC Two television phenomenon that is Inside No. 9?

Not many, judging by the capacity audience last month at the Vue Manchester’s Screen 18 (18 is twice nine, after all), there to see an exclusive preview of the series 8 finale, The Last Weekend.

First look image revealed for the new series of Inside No. 9

Credit: BBC

The six-part BBC Two series will feature stand-alone stories every episode and will explore Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s world of the extraordinary and macabre. 

This series will feature Daniel Mays (Line of Duty), Jason Isaacs (The OA), Sophie Okonedo (Britannia), Jessica Hynes (There She Goes), Diane Morgan (Mandy), Daisy Haggard (Back To Life), Annette Badland (EastEnders), Siobhan Redmond (The Replacement) and Ron Cook (The Salisbury Poisonings).

Ear Candy: Inside Inside No. 9

So, if ever the fans of a TV series might have pleaded for a podcast that deconstructs each episode, Inside Inside No. 9 answers that call.

Becoming even more granular than the series itself, the two creators and stars, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, dissect each episode after it has aired.

Every week, the masters of mis­direction are joined by a different member of the Inside No. 9 team to talk about the making of the programmes.

Cast announced for sixth series of Inside No. 9

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton (credit: BBC)

The cast for the upcoming six-part anthology series will include Sian Clifford (Fleabag), Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show), Lindsay Duncan (A Discovery of Witches), Kevin Bishop (Porridge), Nick Mohammed (Intelligence), Bhavna Limbachia (Coronation Street), Sarah Parish (W1A), and Gemma Whelan (The End of the F***ing World), with more names to be confirmed.

Inside No. 9 renewed for two more series

Creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton will stick to their award-winning formula of six stand-alone half hour films, full of twists, turns and genre bends.

They said: “Little did we know when we started Inside No. 9 in 2014 that we would end up with as many episodes of it as Countryfile.

“We are delighted and exhausted in equal measure at the prospect of two more series-worth of tall tales and fearsome fables.”

Inside No.9 creators sign exclusive deal with BBC Studios Comedy Production Team

The two-year deal will involve the development of new comedy and comedy drama projects from the duo for the UK and international market.

Pemberton and Shearsmith, who also wrote and starred in Psychoville, commented: “We are delighted to continue working under the umbrella of BBC Studios.

“As a large and colourful umbrella it affords us the creative freedom to develop new and exciting ideas to shape the future of international television and keeps our skin from burning on hot days”.