Joel Dommett and Judges Reveal All as The Masked Singer Returns to ITV

As anticipation builds for the return of the hit show The Masked Singer, fans are eager to uncover the mystery behind the costumes and hear the incredible vocals from this year’s contestants. The show, which starts on Saturday 30 December at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX, and STV, brings together a panel of superstar sleuths, Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross, and Mo Gilligan, as they try to guess the identities of the celebrities hiding behind the elaborate disguises.

In a new interview with host Joel Dommett and the celebrity panel the gang reveal all about the show, host Joel expresses his excitement about being back for another season. He reveals, “I think it’s certainly the best series, but I think definitely my best series just because of my child arriving. I feel like it’s all so joyous and fun. I am viewing it all in an entirely different way.”

Davina McCall reflects on the show’s emotional impact. She confesses, “I think there’s so many emotional aspects to this show that I wasn’t really prepared for! I knew it was going to be fun and I knew it was going to be a bit ridiculous, but I hadn’t factored in what it feels like to watch little kids in the studio and seeing how invested they are.”

Asked about the show’s recent BAFTA win, Dommett acknowledges its significance, saying, “I think that’s really important for any show. People always took us seriously, but now people really have to take us seriously. We’re a BAFTA-winning show. It’s just entertainment at its finest and, yes, it’s silly, but maybe that’s what entertainment should be. It’s just silly, ridiculous telly that we can all really enjoy.”

Jonathan Ross, another member of the detective panel, shares some insight into his preparation process. He reveals, “Yes! I write a big long list of people who I think, conceivably, either UK celebrities or Americans or people who are in the UK who might do the show. My best guess this year is Ryan Reynolds. He’s in Wrexham a lot of the time now. You never know. I mean, he’s up for a laugh!”

When it comes to the costumes, Dommett is full of praise, calling them “the best costumes ever. Air Fryer is unbelievably silly. It’s so liberating to be a part of a show where first of all, people really enjoy it and also from my point of view, any idea I have, it’s fair game.”

Rita Ora, who has also been a judge on the US version of The Masked Singer, talks about the talent on the show, expressing her amazement at the voices this season. She says, “The voices are the best I’ve ever heard, and the personalities are so amazing. When you’re coming on this show, this is a BAFTA-winning show! It’s a really amazing kind of family show.”

Mo Gilligan, the newest addition to the panel, reflects on the show’s impact and popularity. He says, “I meet people or friends of mine who have kids and they have so many questions for me, they love it, can’t get enough of it. It’s nice that people ask me questions like, ‘Do you really not know who it is?’ And I meet a lot of taxi drivers and they’re always asking me who people are. The way it’s captured the nation’s imagination is really cool. So to have a BAFTA award, we’re up there with the Saturday night greats.”

Gilligan also shares his enthusiasm for the show’s costumes, exclaiming, “I love the costumes! It’s something I really look forward to each series. I’m like, ‘What are they going to produce this year?’ Whether it’s Bubble Tea or Rat or Dippy Egg, the imagination that gets put into these costumes, you can’t even believe. It’s so hard to explain when there’s a new series and you say a name like Chicken Caesar and it’s a chicken dressed as Julius Caesar or you say we have a Piranha that is smiling in pajamas, that is the concept. It’s totally mad!”

Ross also adds that the show’s success lies in its unique format, stating, “We know the show is popular because, of course, we know it gets big viewing figures, but I think maybe it just reflects the fact that people do love the big, silly spectacle of it all. The format is such a strong, such a strange and unique one, and I think that’s what people are responding to.”

As the stage is set for a brand-new season of The Masked Singer, viewers can expect stunning performances, jaw-dropping reveals, and the unrelenting excitement of guessing who lies behind the masks. With a panel of celebrities who are truly invested in the show’s magic, and a host who brings joy and humor to each episode, this season promises to be the best one yet. Tune in to The Masked Singer on Saturday 30 December at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX, and STV.