The draw to comedy is 1% more powerful than the terror...

Stand-up comedian and Taskmaster champ John Robins talks to MARION McMULLEN about Greg Davies' head and getting to grips with his anxiety

- MARION McMULLEN

You are a Channel 4 Taskmaster champ beating the likes of Steve Pemberton and Alma's Not Normal star Joanne McNally.

Where do you keep your winning trophy of the head of Greg Davies? (Laughs) I've got it downstairs. It's a little bit more hollow than it looks on telly. It's very much got a paper mâché vibe, but you can keep anything you like of all the prizes and things on the show.

I've got a little teddy they made to look like me. I've got a painting by Sophie Willan and, right next to my bed, I have a picture of my friend Paul McCaffrey taken at Nandos that featured in the incredible photos round. I've got some of the actual tasks as well - the little envelopes with the red wax seal on. It's nice to have those little mementoes otherwise it feels like a bit of a dream.

Did you find yourself becoming super-competitive on the show? I found myself to be as competitive as I always am. Watching back I guess there are moments when I could have focused on my career trajectory and getting a new audience rather than going for the win ... but I'll take the win.

What was it like also doing Bad Golf on YouTube with Taskmaster's Alex Horne? I got better, Alex didn't. I got obsessed with golf and was playing three times a week. Story of my life - get obsessed with something for a year and then leave it - but I do still play every few months. I'm just not a compulsive golfer like I used to be.