Phil Ellis, the 44-year-old comedian known for his infectious energy and 20-year career as a 'comedian's comedian', has revealed that his appearance on Taskmaster series 20 in September last year was a turning point that led to a hair transplant and his first full national tour.
Speaking to freelance entertainment reporter Kitty Chrisp, Ellis explained that before Taskmaster, he often faced sparse audiences. At one festival gig, he was hosting to just 12 people in a tent designed for 2,000. 'They went, “No, we’re alright,”' he recalled, laughing about the audience's refusal to move closer.
It was backstage at that difficult gig that a fellow comedian asked why he'd never been on Taskmaster. Ellis assumed it was because he wasn't well-known enough. But moments later, his agent called with an invitation to the show. 'I couldn’t believe it, and you couldn’t tell anyone, so I just had to go back out and carry on,' he said.
Career Transformation and First National Tour
The Taskmaster appearance changed Ellis's professional life. He now receives well-organized and wonderful gigs, and his current show, 'Bath Mat', is the subject of his first full national stand-up tour, with many dates already sold out. 'I can actually go out and perform to like 500 people a night in some venues, which I’d never have dreamed of before,' he said.
Before Taskmaster, Ellis's shows typically began and ended at the Edinburgh Fringe. He couldn't tour because he lacked an audience. In 2014, his show 'Fun and Gamez' won the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' Panel Prize, but it wasn't until now that he could take a show on the road.
Ellis acknowledges the shift from being a 'comedian's comedian' to a more mainstream act. 'It’s nice to be the comedians’ comedian. But you do also need to live,' he joked.
Fan Encounters and a Hair Transplant
Recognition has brought memorable moments, including a train encounter where a young girl asked if he was Phil Ellis, and a woman exiting the toilet after him said, 'He won’t flush that one.' Ellis finds the interactions touching, noting that audiences invest in tickets, travel, babysitters, and meals, and he wants to ensure they have the best night possible.
Another benefit of Taskmaster was a hair transplant in January, gifted after Ellis discussed his thinning hair on a podcast. He admitted to being insecure about it, despite having made peace with his receding hairline. He even brought a photo of Jude Law to the doctor, but after seeing the result, he compromised on a more suitable hairline.
'This is a very different man,' Ellis laughed, gesturing to his head. The change has given him 'a bit more confidence', though he stresses that he doesn't want to encourage anyone to feel they need such a procedure.
Future Plans and Tour Dates
Looking ahead, Ellis hopes to write a sitcom, which was his original motivation for entering stand-up. 'I only got into stand-up because I wanted to write a sitcom, so I’d like to do that,' he said.
He also reflects on his career trajectory: 'It’s nice to say you’re the guy on the edge of a comedy. But it’s also quite nice to be in the tent with everyone else, and not looking in going, “Hey, what’s it like in here, guys? You got free drinks?”'
Phil Ellis: Bath Mat is showing throughout August at the Edinburgh Fringe at the Monkey Barrel venue at 1.55pm, and at Pleasance Courtyard on selected dates at 9.30pm. He is touring the show throughout the rest of 2026 into 2027.
