Channel 4 has commissioned a series of Alex Horne’s Taskmaster spin-off Your Time Starts Now, following a successful pilot.

Eight hour-long episodes of the gameshow – which features teams taking on challenges at home – have now been ordered from programme-makers Avalon.  The tasks are said to require a combination of ‘creativity, lateral thinking, speed, some general knowledge and teamwork’.

 Horne, who will also host the show, said: ‘I often hear about friends, families, colleagues and teammates doing our tasks on holidays or at weddings, scout camps and Christmas dinners, but I seldom hear that these people have sought permission to do so. 

‘Now, finally, we will harness the country and be able to set challenges within a rigorous framework so that the rules are properly adhered to, everyone is judged appropriately and the best rightfully rewarded. Also, I think it's going be very fun for everyone, and that's got to be a good thing’

He devised the show with Andy Devonshire, who directs Taskmaster. It builds on the programme The Button, billed as ‘a cross between Gogglebox and Taskmaster’, which Horne also devised and hosted for one series on BBC One in 2018.

Tom Beck, Channel 4’s commissioning editor, said: ‘The pilot delivered laughter, warmth, comedy and families arguing over why they’d failed to nail an obviously ludicrous task.  It’s joyful! Roll on the series.’

Five teams compete in each episode, taking part in tasks with a cash reward. The household with the most money at the end of the episode has a choice to leave with their winnings or play for double that amount the following week, meaning someone could win a potential cash prize of millions at the end of the series.

Your Time Starts Now is still officially a working title, which may yet change.