The suspense finally broke, the glitter settled, and a champion was crowned on this year’sMasked Singer. The finale delivered a whirlwind of shocking reveals and unforgettable performances, leaving the judging panel – Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan – utterly stunned.
Moth, Conkers, and Toastie each took the stage for one last time, pouring every ounce of deception into their final clues and stunning duets with pastMasked Singerstars. Puffer Fish, Snail, and Lion Fish joined the finalists, adding to the electric atmosphere before the ultimate unmaskings began.
A roar erupted as Moth was declared the winner. Beneath the elaborate costume was none other than Keisha Buchanan, the powerhouse vocalist from the Sugababes! While the panel tossed around names like Fleur East and Jamelia, Maya Jama had correctly identified the star from the beginning, a testament to her sharp intuition.
Buchanan confessed to adopting a posh accent throughout her performances, a playful tactic to throw viewers off the scent. The experience, she shared, was liberating, allowing her to perform solo for the first time in years and truly step outside her comfort zone.
The clues, once cryptic, now made perfect sense. The phrase “Enough of going in circles” was a clever nod to the Sugababes’ hit “Round Round,” and a cake adorned with a “13” candle referenced the group’s signing at just thirteen years old. Even a comment about fans wanting to see her shine recalled their early touring days with Take That.
The surprises didn’t end there. Toastie was revealed to be the incredibly talented Mica Paris! The singer-songwriter, known for hits like “My One Temptation,” had also graced the stage in the West End and even appeared onEastEnders, cleverly weaving those experiences into her clues.
One particularly playful clue referenced “Barry Island,” not as a nod to the popular TV show, but to a performance she shared with Shaun Williamson. Paris also hinted at performing with royalty, a memory of sharing the stage with the legendary Prince.
But perhaps the most shocking reveal of the night was Conkers – unmasked as television personality Ben Shephard! The panel, completely thrown off the scent, had speculated about athletes and comedians, never suspecting theTipping Pointhost.
Shephard, who had recently turned 50, admitted the experience was both “extraordinary” and “emotional.” He’d even playfully interviewed eliminated contestants onThis Morningwhile secretly concealing his own identity, adding another layer of intrigue to his performance.
This season ofThe Masked Singerwas a rollercoaster of surprises from the very beginning. The show launched with a unique twist, featuring Anne-Marie and Matt Lucas as the first-ever house band before joining the panel as guest stars.
Unexpected reveals continued to unfold. Alex Jones, the beloved host ofThe One Show, stunned everyone as Disc Jockey, admitting she wouldn’t have guessed herself! Rapper Professor Green emerged as Teabag, evoking a wave of nostalgia, while Sex Pistols icon Johnny Rotten was unmasked as Yak.
The legendary Marcella Detroit was revealed as Gargoyle, adding another iconic voice to the lineup. A double reveal saw Kate Nash unmasked as Monkey Business and Anton Du Beke stepping out from behind the Arctic Fox costume, proving that even the most seasoned performers could keep a secret.
Harry Hill, the British comedy favorite, cleverly disguised his voice as Red Panda, successfully fooling the panel. He later confessed to intentionally mimicking the voice of Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr.
In the semi-final, adventurer Ben Fogle was unveiled as Sloth, a revelation that left the judges completely baffled. And finally, Can of Worms was revealed to be Marvin Humes, surprising many who had predicted his bandmate, JB Gill.
Each unmasking was a moment of pure entertainment, a testament to the creativity and dedication of the performers and the captivating nature of the show itself. This season proved, once again, that onThe Masked Singer, anything is possible.
