The Masked Singer UK delivered one of its most surprising reveals yet on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle was unmasked as the Sloth during the show’s dramatic semi-final. The ITV competition, famous for its outlandish costumes and celebrity guessing games, left both viewers and the celebrity panel in complete shock, with many admitting they never saw the twist coming.
The semi-final episode began with five remaining contestants—Moth, Can of Worms, Conkers, Toastie, and Sloth—each vying for a coveted spot in next week’s grand finale. The stakes were high, the atmosphere tense, and the performances as eclectic as ever. In a particularly memorable moment, Sloth took to the stage with a spirited rendition of Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus’s 1984 hit “We All Stand Together.” Despite the energy and fun brought to the performance, Sloth ultimately received the least votes, sealing their fate for elimination.
As the time came for the unmasking, host Joel Dommett gathered the panel—composed of Davina McCall, Maya Jama, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, and guest comedian Katherine Ryan—to lock in their final guesses. The speculation was wild and varied: Jack Whitehall, Shane Richie, Spencer Matthews, Penn Badgley, and Martin Lewis were all floated as possibilities. But when Sloth finally removed his mask, the audience and judges erupted in disbelief as Ben Fogle, age 52, was revealed as the man behind the costume. According to Daily Mail, the moment was met with gasps and cheers, with none of the panel coming even close to the correct answer.
Fogle, best known for his work presenting Channel 5’s New Lives in the Wild and his early fame from BBC’s CastAway 2000, is also a renowned adventurer, having rowed the Atlantic, crossed Antarctica, and climbed Mount Everest. But singing in a sloth suit on national television was a new kind of challenge. “It was so fun. I am so happy to have got this far. I’m not a natural-born singer, but it’s been so joyous,” Fogle told Press Association after his identity was revealed. He went on to say, “There’s something incredibly liberating about no one knowing who you are and being able to just let go. It’s been joyous and really fun. Ridiculous. I made a commitment that if I was going to do this, I was going to go 100%. I don’t do things by halves and I think I’ve delivered. I’ve never done any singing but I really loved doing it.”
Fogle also shared his motivation for joining the show, emphasizing a desire to challenge stereotypes. “We so often stereotype people...you reach a point in life where you can't take yourself too seriously. I’ve done this for everyone out there with an inner sloth,” he explained, as reported by ITV. He even joked about the physical toll of performing in the furry costume, noting, “I lost an average of 1 kilo per song.”
Fans quickly took to social media to express their astonishment. One viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Well, I would never have guessed Ben Fogle.” Another echoed the sentiment: “Sloth is... BEN FOGLE!! Well I never. Was not expecting that! #maskedsingeruk.” A third added, “Went David Baddiel for so long then suddenly Sam Thompson…but never Ben!!!!! Never in a million years was I getting Ben Fogle. I am SHOOK.” The general consensus online was clear: the show had managed to pull off one of its most unexpected reveals yet.
The surprises didn’t end there. The same night, Can of Worms was also eliminated and revealed as JLS singer Marvin Humes. Humes, age 40, admitted that singing solo on the show was a new and enjoyable experience. “I’m used to being with three other guys on stage and that’s quite a comfort. A bit of security. Although I’m completely masked, it’s still been quite strange being out on my own singing. Which I’ve enjoyed, and even when the mask came off, I fully enjoyed it. So for me, it was nice doing something by myself where singing was concerned,” Humes told Daily Mail. His elimination, like Fogle’s, meant missing out on a place in the grand finale, set to air on February 14, 2026.
Meanwhile, the competition pressed on. Toastie, Conkers, and Moth advanced to the final, where they will compete for the crown in what promises to be a fiercely contested showdown. According to Digital Spy, the grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, at 7 pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
This season has seen its fair share of drama and unexpected moments. Just last week, Red Panda was unmasked as comedian Harry Hill after being eliminated in the semi-finals. Red Panda’s initial appearance on the show had been delayed due to a tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar in Switzerland on New Year’s Eve 2025, which claimed around 40 lives. The show’s producers decided to postpone the character’s debut as a mark of respect for the victims, as reported by Daily Mail.
The Masked Singer UK has become a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers each week with its blend of music, mystery, and celebrity spectacle. The elaborate costumes, cryptic clues, and wild panel guesses keep audiences engaged, while the emotional reveals often leave both fans and contestants moved. This season’s semi-final was no exception, providing a mix of laughter, shock, and heartfelt moments.
For Ben Fogle, the experience was about more than just singing. It was a chance to step outside his comfort zone and show a different side of himself to the public. “I think one of the reasons I really wanted to do this is that we so often stereotype people, and we make assumptions about who they are, what they can do, stick in your lane, but I think you reach a point in life when you can’t take yourself too seriously,” Fogle reflected, as quoted by Press Association. His willingness to embrace the absurd and give it his all resonated with viewers, many of whom found his journey inspiring.
With the grand finale just around the corner, attention now turns to which of the remaining masked contestants will take home the trophy. But for many, the memory of Ben Fogle’s surprise unmasking as Sloth will linger as one of the show’s most delightful and unexpected moments.
Sometimes, the greatest adventures happen when you least expect them—whether it’s climbing Everest or singing your heart out dressed as a giant sloth.