Taskmaster star John Kearns' new comedy special gets release date

john kearns, taskmaster
Taskmaster star's new TV special gets release dateChannel 4

Taskmaster star John Kearns' new comedy special The Varnishing Days has received a release date.

The comedian's first televised special was recorded at London's Royal Court Theatre earlier this year, and will land on Sky Comedy and streaming service NOW on Saturday, August 31.

The special comes off the back of Kearns' critically acclaimed tour, which was twice-extended due to demand. It featured over 100 shows, including 17 sold-out shows across London.

john kearns, the varnishing days
Matt Crockett

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"The Varnishing Days is the heart-stopping, glasses-dropping, hard-rocking, wig-shaking, levothyroxine-taking, knee-knocking, boot-licking, justifying, teeth rattling, digressing new show from stand-up comedian to the stars John Kearns," reads the official synopsis.

"Go silent as I walk on! Acknowledge when something funny happens! Leave discussing dinner plans! Others will be implicated. Points will be circled and missed. Hell, it's a man trying his best! When I visit your town dogs will start barking, as will clergy.

"Your microwave will go haywire. The lights in your vestibule will flicker and the Bank of England will nervously look at interest rates. On the day I write this, the pound has hit an all time low against the dollar. Mark my words. This show will break that record again and again and again."

john kearns, taskmaster
Channel 4

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Kearns is the only comedian to have won both comedy awards for Best Show and Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe, earning the gongs in successive years.

The Varnishing Days saw Kearns win Best Show at this year's Chortle Awards. It also earned a nomination at the 2024 Melbourne Comedy Festival for Most Outstanding Show.

After appearing on Taskmaster's 14th series, Kearns went on to co-host game show Guessable with Sara Pascoe and team captain Alan Davies.

The comedian has also appeared in 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Richard Osman's House of Games and BBC Three sitcom Top Coppers.

The Varnishing Days will land on Sky Comedy and NOW on Saturday, August 31. Taskmaster airs and streams on Thursday nights at 9pm on Channel 4, where you can also stream previous series.

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