Efficient assistant Alex Horne administers tasks involving codes, gym balls and disgusting noises as Ania Magliano, Maisie Adam, Phil Ellis, Reece Shearsmith and Sanjeev Bhaskar kick off their quest.

Sanjeev Bhaskar rotates around a hill of flour, Maisie Adam's mouth pokes through the Taskmaster's nose, and Little Alex Horne introduces Little Little Alex Horne to the world.

Ania Magliano doesn't know the difference between snakes and worms, Maisie Adam relies heavily on the lyrics to Mambo No 5, and Reece Shearsmith gets irrationally angry in a game of chance.

Maisie Adam and Phil Ellis are repulsed by olives. Reece Shearsmith's mystified by a voice note. And Alex Horne regrets giving Ania Magliano access to his phone...

Maisie Adam sees red, Phil Ellis strips to his base layer and Reece Shearsmith destroys a valuable treasure. The Taskmaster maintains order, with authority in good measure.

Greg Davies presides as the series enters its second half. Reece Shearsmith builds a ladder out of chopsticks, Ania Magliano lassos a weathervane and Sanjeev Bhaskar attempts to crush an egg. Meanwhile, Alex Horne is forced to give up his prized watch, Phil Ellis's sunny disposition costs him dear and Maisie Adam hits a new low.

Phil Ellis does a spot of rewiring, Ania Magliano spews some blue jelly, Sanjeev Bhaskar asks for a comfort break, Reece Shearsmith hocks up some bread and Maisie Adam squawks like an exotic bird.