A Taskmaster fan-favourite is coming to Southport Comedy Festival 2026

The legendary Taskmaster contestant will showcase his brand-new stand-up show, The Bench, at the Southport Comedy Festival.

Star of Junior Taskmaster, Man Down and host of hit cult Three Bean Salad Podcast, Mike Wozniak, is the latest to be announced as joining the line-up for the Southport Comedy Festival, in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport.

Wozniak is the seventh show to be revealed for the 2026 programme, joining an already stellar line-up including festival favourite Jason Byrne, German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, legendary improv duo Paul Merton and Suki Webster, multi-award-winning comedian Scott Bennett, and rapidly rising star Laura Smyth. More shows will be announced in the coming weeks, too.

The tour is already selling out and marks his biggest to date, with additional dates being added due to high demand.

The show features a story about a bench that will play a prominent role, using brand-new material from the “deliciously distinctive” comedian.

Wozniak has also appeared on the BBC One panel show Would I Lie to You?, as well as numerous television and radio productions, including We Are Not Alone, Horrible Histories, and It’s Kevin. His film credits also include Prevenge, directed by Alice Lowe.

Currently, he is starring in the BBC’s new adaptation of the children’s novel Dexter Procter: The 10-Year-Old Doctor, written and created by Adam Kay, alongside stars such as Jameela Jamil, Konnie Huq, Harry Enfield, and Sue Johnston.

As well as an actor and comedian, Wozniak is a prolific writer too, with his credits including series three and four of Man Down, all four series of Small Scenes (BBC Radio 4), and the Sky Arts physical comedy Ruby Robinson, starring Kim Cattrall and much more.

As a stand-up comic, Wozniak has been a regular at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has written numerous solo shows.

The 15th annual Southport Comedy Festival runs from 2nd–18th October 2026, returning for the sixth consecutive year to its fully seated and heated Elite Events marquee in Victoria Park, home of the world-famous Southport Flower Show.