Channel 4

Channel 4 announces new kids show Junior Taskmaster

It didn’t seem possible, but Taskmaster is about to get even more juvenile. Channel 4 is adapting the show to a children’s format, driven by the rise in the Taskmaster viewing figures with younger audiences.

The success of School Tasking, the not-for-profit primary school outreach project which replicates Taskmaster games in schools, was also motivation to bring the show to children’s programming.

Celebrity Hunted returns to Channel 4 for fifth season

As usual, the participants will seek to evade capture by former police, army and intelligence personnel. They’ll have to be sharp to do so. Whilst the authorities have an arsenal of real life law enforcing technologies to pinpoint the fugitives, the celebrities will have nothing but the clothes on their backs and each other’s company.

Former contestants have been forced to go completely off-grid in a bid to avoid the ‘Hunters’: avoiding using bank cards, sleeping in tents in rural areas and not trusting anyone along the way for a full 25 days.

TV Diary: Dawn Airey

The art of relaxation has always eluded me, which is probably why, in my plural life, chairing three boards and sitting on another three makes my diary resemble a detailed train timetable. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I have been looking forward to the CEO meeting of the Women’s Super League and Championship Clubs. It’s a chance to have a constructive, focused dialogue outside the board about our mission to be the most competitive and innovative leagues in the world.

Greg James to host new reality game show Rise and Fall

Greg James looks at Camera in a lift

Sixteen British civilians will enter the competition as equals but will soon be split into Rulers and Grafters. In a caricature of real-world power dynamics, the Grafters will complete a series of arduous activities, creating a prize fund that only the Rulers can win.

Whilst the Grafters inhabit a basement, the Rulers occupy a deluxe penthouse. The Rulers will have to encourage the Grafters to work harder for them, whilst also making choices that affect only the Grafters and not themselves.

Countdown names new permanent host to replace Anne Robinson

Colin Murray announced as new host of Countdown (credit: Channel 4)

Murray has guest hosted the UK’s longest running TV quiz show since summer 2022, becoming a favourite among fans.

Confirming the news on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Murray said: “It’s a career dream to be named as permanent anchor of one of television's most iconic programmes. I have been a fan since day one, been part of the family for over a decade, appearing on Dictionary Corner, and now I get the honour of guiding it into a fifth decade. However, I just don’t want Countdown to survive, I want it to thrive.