The fastest duck

Episode synopsis

In this one-episode special, actor John Hannah, news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, actress Nicola Coughlan, presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, and head Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas compete to win Greg's golden eyebrows.

Along the way, they must bring in the best thing to bring to a party, get the largest thing through a doughnut hole, sculpt a scene on the other side of a wall, build the lightest tower on a set of scales, and strike balls into a bathtub with a randomly-selected object.

Title context

'The fastest duck' was how Alex Horne described the duck made by Nicola Coughlan during the 'Sculpt the scene on the other side of the wall' task.

Alternate Titles

• On Finland's MTV Katsomo streaming platform, this episode is titled 'Uuden vuoden kujeet 1', which translates as 'New Year's larks 1'. [Translator credit: zador]
• On Norway's Discovery+ Norge streaming platform, this episode is titled 'Den raskeste anda', which translates as 'The fastest duck'. Note: this Norwegian translation of the title only appears in the subtitles for the episode, whereas the episode title listed on the platform is the original English title. [Translator credit: Jan Harald]

Taskmaster Intro

Hello! And welcome one and all to this very special Taskmaster treat. I am Greg Davies, the Taskmaster. I judge who will win, and have a bod made for sin. Over the next hour, five people that no-one ever predicted would appear on the same show together will try their best to please me in a fraction of the time it usually takes people to please me. Can't feel a thing down there. Come the end, we'll either wish we had them for a whole series, or heave an enormous sigh of blessed relief that they've gone. But what's the prize for this swift sacrifice of dignity? Why, it's a symbol of hope that the world has been craving. That's right. Tonight's victor will win my mighty golden eyebrows! So, sit back, relax, shut your mouths, and enjoy the most ludicrous jumble of celebrities you'll ever see on television this year.

Assistant Intro

And now for a man that is forever generous with facts and figures as he is uncomfortable talking about sexual intimacy. It's... little Alex Horne!

Episode prize

The prize up for grabs in this special is a trophy featuring Greg's golden eyebrows.

Taskmaster's Sign-off

Well, there we are. That's an end to it. Now, what will become of our fearless five? Well, we know that following the broadcast of this special, there'll be at least three brand-new TV shows. 'John Hannah Caravaner' will be a big hit. 'Crap Craft With Coughlan' is gonna give us all hope. And when people are clearing out all the useless tea out of their cupboards, they're all going to want to watch Krishnan presenting the 'Channel 4 Brews'. As for Shirley Ballas, well, she'll be expressing herself with a flourish, locked behind the doors of Rylan's two-person cult. Join us soon for another full series, but for now, let's see our one-off winner celebrate their career high. It's Shirley Ballas!