The Masked Singer UK returned to ITV on Sunday night, but who are the celebrities hiding underneath the new masks?
David Tennant? Kym Marsh? Emma Bunton?
Just under a year after Natalie Imbruglia clinched victory as Panda, we’re back for more masked madness.
Host Joel Dommett and the judges – Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Mo Gilligan are back for The Masked Singer UK Series 4.
Six acts performed for the first time and brought the show’s trademark fun and shenanigans.
At the end of the episode, one contestant was unmasked, but more on that later.
So, who do viewers think the remaining competitors are?
The Masked Singer: Series 4 (Episode 1) – As It Happened
As mentioned, the first six contestants made their debut in this episode.
They were Knitting, Jellyfish, Otter, Ghost, Phoenix and a duo, Cat and Mouse.
In the end, Ghost made an early exit from the competition, having sung “Save The Last Dance For Me” by The Drifters and adopted a faux Scottish accent.
It was none other than…
…
…
…
Broadcaster and ex-footballer, Chris Kamara MBE!
None of the judges guessed it was Kammy behind the mask.
However, some astute viewers did manage to pinpoint the former Portsmouth midfielder.
So, now that Ghost/Chris Kamara is out, who were the other contestants in episode 1?
Of course, fans of the show shared their thoughts online about who it could be.
Let’s go through them.
Knitting
Knitting kicked things off with a rendition of “Remember” by Becky Hill and David Guetta.
Despite losing their face-off, Knitting survived the bottom three and advanced to the next week.
Riddle Clue: ‘Knitting is easy, it’s the crossing of sticks, count all your stitches, there should be 26’
Names such as Kym Marsh, Reverend Kate Bottley and Alesha Dixon came up online.
However, there was a clear frontrunner – Claire Richards from Steps.
As one viewer said: “Masked Singer catch up Knitting is definitely Claire Richards All the crafty clues are a huge hint, but it’s the Magpie gives it away for me, if you know the rhyme”.
Others pointed out that the 26 from the riddle could refer to Steps’ 26-year history. Or, their album 5,6,7,8 – when added together, you get 26.
The judges also guessed presenter Konnie Huq and actress Samantha Barks.
Jellyfish
Jellyfish was next up, performing classic “Sweet Child O Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.
Riddle Clue: ‘Give me good vibes only, that’s a great salutation. Let’s love and not hate, like a funny animation.’
Viewer guesses seemed to have a trend.
Not only professional singers, but people who’d done versions of The Masked Singer before.
Namely, Glee star Amber Riley, who played New Directions member Mercedes Jones. She won the 8th US season as ‘Harp’ in 2022.
Also on fans’ radar was Destiny’s Child vocalist Michelle Williams, who has competed on a whopping three versions of The Masked Singer – USA, Australia, and yes, the most recent UK season prior to this one.
Could Williams be on the Masked stage once again?
However, the judges guesses included Alexandra Burke, Michelle Keegan and Christina Aguilera.
Otter
The delightfully eccentric Otter sang “I’m Always Here” from Baywatch.
Riddle clue: ‘Children, some say, should be seen and not heard, but of this Otter, opposite is the word’
In doing so, the character confused judges and viewers alike of their identity.
Some online guesses included LaToya Jackson and Denise Welch.
Davina McCall guessed Harry Potter and Killing Eve actress Fiona Shaw, who played Aunt Petunia in the former.
Meanwhile, Rita Ora suggested The Saturdays’ Una Healy, whose Irish origin would fit a shamrock clue.
At the moment, Grammy-nominated Kate Bush is the leading (or least most talked about) Twitter guess.
Others, however, have argued that Bush would be unlikely to do the show.
Only time will tell…
Cat and Mouse
As the first duo on The Masked Singer UK, a lot of eyes were on Cat and Mouse, who sang “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” by Doris Day and Robert Goulet.
Riddle Clue: ‘I’m on the case, I’m not afraid, you stole the cheese, and some Jade’
So, therefore, who is behind the mask?
The real first question is how these celebrities know each other. Are they a romantic or professional couple?
Viewers guessed Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie, who was formerly a backing singer for Wham!
They also put forward comedian/Strictly favourite Chris Ramsey, alongside his wife/podcast co-host, Rosie Ramsey.
Still stumped?
Judges’ guesses include Tom & Giovanna Fletcher, Susanna Reid & Ben Shephard and Emma Bunton & Jade Jones.
Phoenix
Phoenix closed the show in style, with a unique spin on “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk, featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.
Riddle clue: ‘I’m all flame and fire my feathers ablaze, it may intrigue you to learn I’ve been a catchphrase’.
In fact, despite having a distinctive take on the song, there’s still confusion over Phoenix’s identity.
The leading online guesses boil down to three people: actor and newly reinstated Doctor Who, David Tennant, singer Michael Ball and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson.
Of the three, only one of them, Tennant, was actually guessed as Phoenix in the episode. Other judges’ guesses included Joe Sugg and Nicholas Hoult.
However, Ball and Wilson have been guessed in the previous series- Ball as Hedgehog in Series 1, Wilson as Viking in Series 2.
As host Joel Dommett frequently says, we won’t find out until the mask comes off.
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