A stellar line-up of popular online creators went head-to-head in a fun-filled special live-streamed edition of Taskmaster, raising over £280k and counting to help build a world-leading new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
Taskmaster Live Stream: GOSH Charity Edition, hosted by Taskmaster creator and comedian (Little) Alex Horne alongside comedian Jake Bhardwaj, saw 10 popular YouTubers and content creators, including TommyInnit, MatPat, Ayamé and Hayley Morris, compete in teams of two to be crowned champions.
Streamed live on Saturday 5 September across YouTube and Twitch, viewers were invited to join in on the chaotic fun and show their support by digging deep to raise as much money as possible for seriously ill children going through cancer.
What participants didn’t realise was that they were due a visit from the Taskmaster himself, Greg Davies, who surprised the livestream by joining midway through the first task.
After 10 rounds of closely fought competition, Rob Colfer and Hayley Morris emerged victorious, with highlights including what Greg called ‘an impressive piece of physical theatre and political satire’, to advertise a brick. MatPat and Ayamé were also crowned the ‘People’s Champions’, with viewers enjoying their partnership despite them having met for the first time earlier that day.
Across the livestream, the creators were put through their paces with challenges including creating the most dramatic freeze frame, making a sandwich without using hands and a special (and chaotic) ‘taskathlon’ to conclude the evening, which saw contestants take on a series of mini tasks in the quickest possible time.
With sponsorship from companies like Paysafe, Airalo and Nando’s and surprise video messages from celebrities including Gordon Ramsay, Jason Isaacs, Deborah Meaden and Jack Black to give the contestants much-needed advice, the livestream concluded with Hayley and Rob taking home the coveted duck trophy, made of ‘genuine plastic’.
Former GOSH patient, Alyssa, aged 17, also joined the live-stream, speaking to viewers about her own cancer experience, having been the first patient in the world to receive base-edited T-cells to treat her ‘incurable’ T-cell leukaemia.
The livestream has so far raised over £281,000 and counting for GOSH Charity, with over 1,500 donations being made on the night. Views currently stand at 800,000, with people tuning in from different platforms, including Taskmaster’s YouTube, TommyInnit’s Twitch and GOSH Charity’s Twitch account.
All funds raised will go towards the building of a new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH. The state-of-the-art facility will help give seriously ill children going through cancer the best chance and best childhood possible. The centre will bring specialist care, cutting-edge facilities and pioneering research under one roof. It will also feature new outdoor spaces, including a roof garden, to ensure children can experience fresh air and nature during hospital stays.
Following the livestream, Alex Horne said:
“Were there too many people taking part in my normally rigid format? Was it too chaotic and was I constantly stressed? These are questions I would be trying to answer if I wasn’t still so struck by Imogen’s core strength, Rob and Hayley’s acting and, yes, Greg’s height. Also, it seems that Jake is now his natural successor, not me, and I’m definitely fine with that.
“Most importantly, having visited GOSH and met some of the children and families being treated there, I couldn’t be more pleased that we could bring all these talented people together to support GOSH Charity. The money raised will go a long way in helping children going through cancer, and I’m honoured to have been able to support in this way.”
Sarah Bissell, GOSH Charity’s Deputy Director of Relationship Fundraising, said:
“We’re hugely grateful to everyone involved in the livestream, from Alex and the Taskmaster team, to the creators who took on the challenges and the viewers who supported them. It was amazing to watch the energy, humour and friendly competition unfold throughout the event.
“The funds raised will play a vital role in helping to build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”
To watch highlights from the livestream and donate to GOSH Charity, visit: goshtaskmaster.com.
