Events

The Masked Singer

by Lily Brown

Contents
The Masked Singer

The Masked Singer (UK) is one of the most popular reality shows on British television. In this article, we will discuss its history, format, and most memorable participants.

Title

The Masked Singer UK

Genre

Music reality show

Premiere on British TV

4 January 2020

Number of seasons

6

Judges

Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama (replaced Rita Ora)

Host

Joel Dommett

Filming location

ITV Studios Bovingdon, Hertfordshire

Basic information about the show

Masked Singer has excellent ratings, and the public eagerly awaits the announcement of the next winner. With each season, the cast becomes more and more impressive. It is becoming increasingly difficult to guess who is hiding behind the mask.

the masked singer host

The Masked Singer Host

Show history

This musical television show is a singing competition. Its participants are celebrities who perform in costumes and masks that conceal their identities. The project is part of the international franchise The Masked Singer, which originated from the South Korean programme King of Mask Singer. It has been adapted in many countries around the world. It premiered in the United Kingdom on ITV on 4 January 2020.

Format

The main idea of the show is to create intrigue: the participants hide behind masks during their performances, and the jury and viewers try to guess who they are. The costumes are chosen very carefully to conceal the appearance of their owners. The identities of the contestants remain a secret until they are eliminated or the final episode. The show's team signs strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent information leaks.

the masked singer episodes

The Masked Singer format

Each episode features a selection of musical performances, after which the judges discuss the performances and put forward their guesses as to the identities of those hiding behind the masks. After the contestants or the jury vote, one of the masked performers removes their mask, revealing their identity. The process continues until the final, where the winner of the season is determined. This is one of the most talked-about projects on British television.

Each costume on the show is unique, and the creation process takes up to several weeks. Some masks weigh more than 20 kg, which complicates the participants' performances.

Where is The Masked Singer filmed?

The British version of The Masked Singer UK is filmed at ITV Studios Bovingdon, located on the site of the former Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire (near London). The set is equipped with modern equipment and has a live audience.

The judges

the masked singer judges

The Masked Singer Judges

The show's judging panel includes the following celebrities:

  1. Jonathan Ross — TV presenter and comedian.
  2. Davina McCall — TV presenter.
  3. Mo Gilligan — comedian and TV presenter.
  4. Maya Jama — TV presenter (replaced Rita Ora).

In addition to the celebrities listed above, guest judges have also appeared in individual episodes. Well-known figures from the world of music try to guess who is hiding behind the masks, but often even their high level of professionalism does not help them. The judges have to rely on clues and voices.

Host

The show is hosted by Joel Dommett, a British comedian and television presenter. He has been presenting the programme since the very first episode.

Participants

the masked singer uk

The Masked Singer Participants

The Mask Singer features celebrities: singers, television presenters and show business personalities. All participants are hidden under bright costumes, and their identities are only revealed after they are eliminated. Let's list the celebrities who appeared on The Masked Singer, including those who performed live and were more memorable than others.

Costume

Real name

Season

Comment

Dressed Crab

Gregory Porter

Season 6

Finalist, world-renowned jazz singer, Grammy Award winner

Wolf

Marti Pellow

Season 6

Former lead singer of pop band Wet Wet Wet, reached the final, came third

Bush

Natalie Cassidy

Season 6

A well-known actress and television presenter; one of the most prominent participants revealed during the season.

Hedgehog

Jason Manford

Season 1

Comedian and television presenter who came second

Octopus

Katherine Jenkins

Season 1

Classical music performer, ranked 3rd

Badger

Ne‑Yo

Season 2

Singer and songwriter who came second

Robin

Aston Merrygold

Season 2

Singer and member of pop group JLS, who came third

Mushroom

Charlotte Church

Season 3

Popular singer who came second in the season finale

Robobunny

Mark Feehily

Season 3

The singer from Westlife who came third

Phoenix

Ricky Wilson

Season 4

The frontman of the band Kaiser Chiefs, who came second

Bigfoot

Alex Brooker

Season 5

TV presenter and comedian who came second in the final

Cricket

Lemar

Season 5

British R&B singer who came third

Winners

the masked singer uk winners

The Masked Singer Winners

Here are the names of the winners of all six seasons of The Masked Singer UK, as shown on British television:

Season

Costume

Real name

Season 1

Queen Bee

Nicola Roberts

Season 2

Sausage

Joss Stone

Season 3

Panda

Natalie Imbruglia

Season 4

Rhino

Charlie Simpson

Season 5

Piranha

Danny Jones

Season 6

Pufferfish

Samantha Barks

The Masked Singer 2025

the masked singer uk 2025

The Masked Singer UK 2025

The Masked Singer UK 2025 is the sixth season of the British version of The Masked Singer. It premiered on 4 January 2025 on ITV, with the finale airing on 15 February 2025. Twelve masked celebrities took part in the show. They disguised their voices while performing songs, and the judging panel and viewers guessed their identities. Joel Dommett returned as the host of the project, as in previous seasons. The judges included Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Maya Jama (replacing Rita Ora).

The season was memorable for its colourful costumes and unexpected musical numbers, the presence of famous performers among the participants, the intense competition for victory, and the jury's interesting attempts to guess the identities behind the masks.

Several masks made it to the season finale, revealing their real names one by one. The winner of the season was Samantha Barks in the Pufferfish costume, who won over the judges and the audience with her vocal skills and artistry.

Gregory Porter, in the Dressed Crab mask, took second place. The famous Grammy-winning vocalist brought a jazz-soul sound to the show.

Marti Pellow, in the Wolf mask, came in third. The former frontman of the band Wet Wet Wet performed songs in a genre combining rock and pop on the show.

the masked singer 2025

The Masked Singer 2025

The 2025 season also featured:

  1. Bush — Natalie Cassidy — actress.
  2. Bear — Example — British rapper and singer.
  3. Spaghetti Bolognese (Spag Bol) — Kate Garraway — TV presenter.
  4. Pegasus — Prue Leith — Great British Bake Off judge and TV presenter.
  5. Snail — Andrea Corr — singer with The Corrs.
  6. Toad in the Hole — Macy Gray — American singer.
  7. Teeth — Mel Giedroyc — TV presenter and comedian.
  8. Kingfisher — Grayson Perry — renowned British artist

Samantha Barks surpassed all her competitors with her confident performances. Her identity in the final came as a surprise to many, including the judges.

Top 3 GREATEST Reveals EVER! | The Masked Singer

Frequently asked questions

Who was knitting in The Masked Singer?

The show features celebrities from the world of music, television and show business, performing in costumes that hide their identities. Winners and finalists include celebrities such as Nicola Roberts, Joss Stone, Natalie Imbruglia, Charlie Simpson, Danny Jones, and Samantha Barks.

Who won The Masked Singer 2025?

The winner of the 2025 season was Pufferfish, with Samantha Barks hidden behind the mask.

Who was ‘Teeth’ on The Masked Singer?

The role of Teeth in the 2025 season was played by Mel Giedroyc, a well-known British comedy television presenter.

Who is ‘Toad in the Hole’ on The Masked Singer?

Toad in the Hole in 2025 turned out to be Macy Gray, a singer and songwriter.

When was The Masked Singer filmed?

The British version of the show is usually filmed several months before it airs. The 2025 season was filmed in autumn 2024 at ITV Studios Bovingdon in Hertfordshire.

Where to watch The Masked Singer?

The British version can be watched on ITV and on the ITV Hub / ITVX streaming platform.

When does The Masked Singer start?

The 2025 season premiered on 4 January 2025 on ITV. New seasons usually start in January each year.