The Masked Singer UK returned to television screens on January 3, 2026, bringing with it a fresh wave of intrigue, celebrity shenanigans, and the nation’s favorite guessing game. ITV’s Saturday night staple kicked off its seventh series with the familiar, high-energy hosting of Joel Dommett and the ever-animated panel of Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan. Fans and panelists alike were on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the famous faces behind this year’s dazzling and often outlandish costumes.
From the very first moments of the premiere, social media was ablaze with speculation. The show opened with a standout performance from a contestant dressed as Goldfish, and within minutes, viewers at home felt confident they’d cracked the code. According to widespread posts on X (formerly Twitter), the consensus was clear: "Without a doubt @AnneMarie is goldfish!! #MaskedSingerUK," one fan declared, echoing dozens of similar sentiments. Others chimed in, “Goldfish sounds like Anne-Marie #MaskedSingerUK,” and “Anne Marie well that was easy #MaskedSingerUK.” The fandom’s detective work was soon vindicated.
Indeed, the first big reveal of the night confirmed what so many had suspected. Anne-Marie, the chart-topping singer-songwriter known for hits like "Rewrite the Stars," "Baby Don't Hurt Me," and "2002," was unmasked as Goldfish. Her unveiling was met with cheers and gasps from the studio audience and panel alike, but it was Maya Jama who could claim bragging rights as the only judge to correctly guess Anne-Marie’s identity. Maya’s intuition was aided by a clever clue: one of the house band members wore black belts across their body, a nod to Anne-Marie’s background as a black belt and former world champion in Shotokan karate. As reported by Metro, this subtle reference was enough for Maya to connect the dots, highlighting the fun—and frustration—of the show’s elaborate clue system.
Anne-Marie’s participation marked a first for the series, as she fronted The Masked Singer’s inaugural house band, No Trout. Her unmasking didn’t just end the suspense; it also brought an unexpected encore, as she delivered a rousing, unmasked rendition of her hit single "2002." The performance was a treat for both the live audience and viewers at home, reminding everyone why Anne-Marie has become a household name in British pop.
But the surprises didn’t end there. The launch episode featured a bumper crop of performances and, ultimately, a second dramatic unmasking. Following the audience vote, the contestant known as Disc Jockey was eliminated, prompting another round of feverish speculation. When the mask came off, the panel was left stunned: it was none other than Alex Jones, beloved presenter of The One Show. Alex had performed "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan, and her clues throughout the night had cleverly referenced her varied career and personal milestones. For instance, her mention of facing “trials” in life was a nod to her participation in Comic Relief, while a photo of Jonathan Ross referenced her time hosting a show called Jonathan before her One Show days. She also alluded to her TV series "Alex Jones: Making Babies" and her Welsh heritage, hinting she had “represented my country.”
Alex’s unmasking was met with shock and delight, both in the studio and online. She admitted, with a smile, “To be honest, I wouldn’t have guessed me!” Her humility and good humor won over fans, many of whom took to social media to praise her vocal talents and lament her early exit. “Alex Jones is actually a decent singer don’t think she should have been voted out tbf,” wrote one viewer. Another added, “I was not expecting Disc Jockey to be Alex Jones!!” The panel, too, was left reeling, with none managing to guess her identity before the big reveal.
Reflecting on her experience in a post-show Q&A, Alex Jones described her time on The Masked Singer as a “career highlight,” saying, “This is just pure joy, fun and just completely out of my comfort zone, but something I will remember forever.” Her words captured the spirit of the show, which continues to offer celebrities a chance to surprise themselves—and the nation—by stepping far outside their usual roles.
The launch episode also set the stage for an action-packed weekend, with further reveals scheduled for January 4, 2026. Characters including Arctic Fox, Conkers, Monkey Business, Teabag, Toastie, and Yak were all set to perform, keeping both the panel and viewers guessing. This year’s line-up of characters is as eclectic as ever, featuring Moth, Can Of Worms, Red Panda, Sloth, Gargoyle, and more. The show’s format, which blends musical talent, comedic misdirection, and elaborate costuming, remains a winning formula for ITV, as evidenced by its enduring popularity and social media dominance.
However, the launch wasn’t without its somber moments. In a decision that underscored the show’s sensitivity to real-world events, ITV removed the performance of Red Panda from the broadcast. As reported by Metro, this decision was made “in light of the tragic events in Switzerland,” where a fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Eve claimed the lives of at least 40 people and injured 119. Red Panda’s costume, which features a firefighter’s uniform with burn marks, was deemed potentially insensitive given the circumstances. ITV issued a statement explaining the choice and reassuring viewers that Red Panda’s performance would be shown in the coming weeks. The network’s thoughtful response was widely noted, reflecting the delicate balance entertainment programs must strike in the face of tragedy.
The Masked Singer UK’s legacy of surprise and spectacle is well established. Past winners include Samantha Barks (2025), Danny Jones (2024), Charlie Simpson (2023), Natalie Imbruglia (2022), Joss Stone (2021), and Nicola Roberts, the original champion from 2020. Each season has delivered its share of shocks, show-stopping performances, and unforgettable moments, and the current series promises to be no different.
For fans who can’t get enough, The Masked Singer UK continues on ITV1 and is available on demand via ITVX. With more reveals, more wild guesses, and more musical magic on the horizon, the guessing game is only just beginning. As the nation tunes in, one question remains: who will be unmasked next?
