Taskmaster contestant is severely allergic

Alex Horne was petrified of killing Jason Mantzoukas with an egg on the current series of Taskmaster.

The actor is severely allergic to the breakfast favourite, and Horne said they had ‘many warnings’ about the dangers.

Appearing on Chris Moyles’ Radio X show, Horne told how he booked Mantzoukas onto the show after getting a direct email from  the US star

‘I got an email out of the blue saying, "I’m watching your show, can I be on it?" And I said yes, and I wish that’s how it always worked in life.

 ‘He flew in to do the show and so he was always the last person to do every task. So, he knew that he could destroy everything. He was sort of nice about it, but he did break more than he said he would, and he had that Hollywood energy as well. You've slightly in awe of these Americans….

Then Horne added: ‘He is very allergic to egg. We had many warnings not to kill Mantzoukas with egg.

‘Normally [Taskmaster] is egg heavy.’

Horne also pointed out that last time he was on the Radio X show he mentioned there was one person on Taskmaster that he didn’t like – prompting a lot of speculation among the contestants as to who it was.’

' I’ve had a lot of stick from that,’ the show’s creator said. ‘Every time I do a Q&A type thing; the first question is "Who is it?"’

Horne then teased ‘I could drip feed more details if you want’

‘It wasn't one of the people who've asked me [whether it was them]. I think if you are aware enough to think it might be you, then it's not you.

Moyles asked: ‘The first person to ask you, was it Ed Gamble?’

Horne replied. ‘Ed knows I like him. But he is also quite insecure, so I wouldn't put it past him to ask me. But it wasn't him and he and also he didn't ask so that’s another down.’

• The Chris Moyles Show is on Radio X weekdays from 6:30am to10am and on Saturday from 8am to 11am1 across the UK and on Global Player

Published: 22 May 2025