UP TO THE TASK

Comedian Phil Ellis tells MARION MCMULLEN about Taskmaster trophies as he jokes his way to a nationwide tour

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What has it been like appearing on the latest series of Channel 4's Taskmaster?

It's been great. I was a bit worried because all the fans are so passionate. They get attached obviously to the last cast and then a new cast comes along and they are like 'Who is this?' It takes a few episodes but I think they seemed to warm to us all quite quickly. I went out for a meal last night to this little place and as soon as I walked up it was 'Mr Taskmaster' ... but I still didn't get any freebies.

You revealed your distaste of olives on the show. Has that changed?

Oh, god, never. I'm very boring when it comes to food. They did actually ask me beforehand if I had any allergies and I pointed out I had a phobia of sauces and various condiments but I forgot olives and paid the price for not being thorough.

You are a fan of The League Of Gentlemen and Inside No 9. Was it weird appearing alongside Reece Shearsmith on the show?

Yeah, it was really, but we were all nervous for the first few episodes. Reece hasn't done a lot of telly as himself and I just hadn't done a lot of telly, so I was nervous for that reason.

For me, as the first big TV thing, it was perfect. It was 10 weeks and people can either go 'This guy's for me and I like him' or 'That guy is not for me I won't go to his live gigs and sit there miserable' (Smiles) Yes, they can stay away and let the nice happy people come along, but that's good. You can't like everyone. That's comedy, isn't it?

I was a bit nervous about the whole TV thing and wanted to come off well, but after a few episodes I was just myself. And that is really me on screen. If you met me for a drink, that is how I am.