Hit show gets a French makeover

Taskmaster is to be remade in France.

Camille Combal, who also hosts the French version of the Masked Singer, will both produce the show and play the Taskmaster’s assistant.

He has met UK Taskmaster Greg Davies and his assistant – and the format’s creator – Alex Horne to prepare himself for the six-episode series,  set to ir on TF1 next year.  

Combal has also taken part in another French adaptation of a UK comedy hit – Ghosts. He plays Albos, a friendly ancient Gallic tribal chief, in the show, which is subtitled. Fantômes en héritage. 

Horne said: ‘I am extremely excited about this iteration of Taskmaster, mainly because I really like Taskmaster (I think it’s a great format). I try to see it live wherever it is made and it turns out France is a lot easier to get to than New Zealand. So I can’t wait to see the worryingly handsome Camille slip on my shiny shoes and undermine the French comedy scene’s finest.’

Julien Degroote, executive vice president of content development, for the TF1 Group adde: ‘We are incredibly excited – and, I have to admit, a little daunted – to bring Taskmaster to France. 

‘It’s more than a hit format: it’s a true comedy institution, with a unique spirit and a passionate fanbase around the world. Camille Combal is the perfect person to bring it to life in France. He’s much more than a TV host – he’s a true entertainer, with the humour, creativity and sense of play this extraordinary format demands. 

‘We now have one simple task: to make the French version worthy of Taskmaster. No pressure!’

The format has so far been adapted in 15 territories outside the UK .Earlier this year, the Dutch version launched on RTL4 to more than 1 million viewers and a Polish version delivered TVN’s biggest primetime launch in five years.

Local versions in Estonia and Iceland have also been recommissioned following successful debuts earlier this year.

Programme-makers Avalon say Taskmaster is the third most-travelled format across the world this year and in one of the most recommissioned comedy entertainment formats of all time. 

The UK original has been commissioned through to series 27 with Channel 4, while Sweden and Norway both launch series 13 this year, Denmark is launching series 11, and Finland, New Zealand and Portugal each have seven series.

Last week a live performance was announced at the 18,000-capacity Hollywood Bowl in 2027, as well as a date at Manchester’s AO Arena.

Published: 12 Oct 2026