Review of U&Dave's new challenge show

Ever since losing Taskmaster to Channel 4 in 2020, U&Dave has made a few attempts to replace it with a new comedians-doing-challenges show, ranging from the terrible (The Island with Tom Allen) to the OK (Outsiders with David Mitchell).

The Way Out, a remake of a Belgian format based on escape rooms, lies somewhere in that range, but feels like background viewing more than the next big hit.

Part of the problem is that there’s only one way of solving each problem, compared to Taskmaster’s open-world approach where anything goes, and anything can win. That said, David O’Doherty does come up with an inventive twist on transporting water in episode one, in which he slides effortlessly into the role of smart middle-aged man doing dumb things.

The main plus of The Way Out is the chemistry between those taking part. Ed Gamble’s team, The Horrid Little Rat People, comprises his long-term support act and real-life escape-room collaborator Chloe Petts plus their old mucker – and guaranteed agent of chaos – Lou Sanders. Opposite them, Nish Kumar’s Society Of Best Friends comprises his life partner, Amy Annette, getting her first significant small-screen exposure, and O’Doherty. 

Inventiveness has gone into challenges, too. Episode one is fish-based, going from trawler to fishmonger, and deploys some clever science tricks to reveal the numbers and letters needed to open combinations you’re unlikely to see in your local escape room.

Yet the issue remains that watching people trying to find those codes has limited appeal – even taking into account the amusement value in seeing comedians who are usually so sure of themselves on stage struggle to solve a four-letter anagram.

Overseeing it all is Mel Giedroyc, bringing her usual jolly encouragement to liven the show. And with each room attempted by only two of each team, the remaining member is also locked in the control room, sharing the audience's frustration when their inept colleagues fail to see what they need to do.

A fishing challenge, with Kumar and Sanders dangling on a wire to collect the vital haul, brings some physical fun – though it’s not as fun as the similar, and more stupid, grabbing spider game from Vic and Bob’s largely forgotten 1999 gameshow Families At War.

And while The Way Out is an enjoyable hour, it still looks like it was more fun to film than to watch.

• The Way Out is now streaming on U.

Review date: 12 May 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett