Taskmaster creator Alex Horne to be awarded honorary doctorate by Warwick

The comedian and writer Alex Horne will be awarded with an honorary doctorate from the University of Warwick.

Creator of Channel 4’s Taskmaster, Horne’s accolade comes following his work on the ‘School Tasking’ initiative: a programme aimed at encouraging young people to engage with the world of law.

The initiative has proved a major success and has been employed by Warwick Law School, under the guidance of Associate Professor Dr Ali Struthers.

I’m thrilled that the project – which I am just a very little (Alex Horne) cog in – is getting recognition

Alex Horne, Taskmaster creator

Responding to the news, Horne said: “I’m so pleased about the doctorate for several reasons; it has made my parents proud, it has made my children embarrassed, and it has made all the comedians who haven’t been awarded this sort of thing incredibly jealous.

“But mainly, I’m thrilled that the project – which I am just a very little (Alex Horne) cog in – is getting recognition.

“All the people who work on it, so much more than me, have made something creative that benefits widening access to higher education in a fun way and that can only be a good thing.”

School Tasking emerged from the hit TV show, which is currently airing its sixteenth series and features Greg Davies as Horne’s ruthless boss.

The programme sees five celebrities, usually comedians or comedy actors, compete for both a weekly and series Taskmaster trophy through a series of varied tasks.

On Saturday 16 September, a School Tasking event took place on the University of Warwick’s campus, featuring local Year 5 school students.

They love him, we love him, and we hope that the Taskmaster will be delighted that Alex is finally getting the recognition he deserves

Dr Ali Struthers, School Tasking creator and Associate Professor at Warwick Law School

Commenting on the doctorate, Dr Struthers said: “School Tasking has grown from a tiny seed of an idea to make outreach more fun and engaging for primary school children local to Warwick Law School to a national competition involving 27 universities (and counting) across the UK and Ireland.

“Undoubtedly, much of that success is down to Alex’s support for the project from its inception. He goes above and beyond to support School Tasking activities and to make the project that little bit more special for the children involved.

“They love him, we love him, and we hope that the Taskmaster will be delighted that Alex is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”

Horne will receive his honorary doctorate next year.