The Masked Singer Christmas special, which aired on ITV on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, delivered a festive treat packed with surprises, laughter, and a healthy dose of celebrity mischief. The one-off holiday episode saw television favourite Dermot O’Leary crowned as the winner, performing incognito beneath the show’s most flamboyant costume yet: a glittering red ‘Mistletoe’ ensemble, strikingly designed as a pair of oversized, sparkling lips. The reveal left both viewers and judges in stitches, capping off an evening that perfectly captured the show’s blend of spectacle and silliness.
The special episode, broadcast at 7:30 pm, brought together four famous faces, each hidden behind elaborate costumes and tasked with delivering their best renditions of classic Christmas tunes. As always, the panel of judges—Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama—were on hand, ready to guess the identities of the masked performers. But this time, they weren’t alone. Lending a unique panto twist to the proceedings, pantomime icons Su Pollard (as Fairy Godmother), Christopher Biggins (The Dame), Lesley Joseph (Wicked Stepmother), and Basil Brush (Prince Charming) joined the show, offering cryptic clues and a hearty dose of holiday cheer.
The character line-up for the night was as colorful as ever. Alongside Mistletoe, there was ‘Goose A-Laying,’ whose costume looked as if it had stepped straight out of a panto, ‘Figgy Pudding,’ a glittery dessert come to life, and ‘Santa’s Sack,’ donning a red velvet cape topped with a stack of presents. Each character took the stage to sing festive favorites, keeping the audience—and the panel—guessing until the very end.
As the show unfolded, the celebrities behind the masks were gradually unmasked. Dame Maureen Lipman, the beloved actress and comedian, emerged from the ‘Goose A-Laying’ costume. Baroness Floella Benjamin, a legend of children’s television and an accomplished author, was revealed as ‘Santa’s Sack.’ Radio DJ and presenter Scott Mills was the voice behind ‘Figgy Pudding.’ But it was Dermot O’Leary, the former X Factor host and This Morning presenter, who stole the show as ‘Mistletoe.’
According to The Sun, Dermot, now 52, admitted he’d spent months in secret singing lessons over the summer to prepare for his performance. “I’d be walking around my kitchen singing Last Christmas in June and July,” he shared. “I’m not like the best singer in the world but I can do a St Patrick’s night or sing at a wedding. I sing all the time. I don’t shut up.” He performed both ‘Fairytale of New York’ and ‘Last Christmas’ during the special, and he credits his song choice for clinching the win. “Fairytale of New York is a great song and I think the song probably won it for me,” Dermot reflected.
Yet, in a twist worthy of the show’s playful spirit, it wasn’t just Dermot’s voice that gave him away. Host Joel Dommett, caught up in the moment, accidentally let slip Dermot’s name on air after recognizing his distinctive chuckle. But even before the slip, the panelists had already pieced together the clues. Dermot himself joked, “Everyone knew it was me — I think they said it was mainly because of my legs. Not my voice, my legs.”
The judges’ reactions ranged from excitement to disbelief, with Jonathan Ross quipping that the reveal had been “too easy.” Maya Jama, Mo Gilligan, and Davina McCall shared in the laughter and surprise, their enjoyment evident as the final masks came off. The atmosphere in the studio was buoyant, with the judges and celebrity guests exchanging banter and festive wishes, making the special feel like a true holiday celebration.
This year’s Christmas special also leaned into its pantomime influences more than ever before. The addition of the panto legends—Pollard, Biggins, Joseph, and Brush—brought a new layer of theatricality and fun. Instead of the usual “Take it off!” chant, there were playful shouts of “Oh no it isn’t!” echoing classic panto tropes, as noted by The Guardian. The blend of guessing game and panto performance gave the special a uniquely British holiday flavor, one that delighted viewers of all ages.
For Dermot O’Leary, the experience was both a challenge and a joy. He confessed to The Sun that it was “a bit of a relief to be unmasked in the end.” The secrecy, the elaborate costume, and the months of preparation all paid off with his victorious reveal. While the judges and much of the audience had figured out his identity, Dermot’s commitment to the role—singing, dancing, and entertaining in full festive regalia—won him the crown and the applause of fans across the country.
Other contestants, too, brought their own flair to the competition. Dame Maureen Lipman, as ‘Goose A-Laying,’ charmed the audience with her wit and stage presence. Baroness Floella Benjamin, under the guise of ‘Santa’s Sack,’ brought warmth and nostalgia, while Scott Mills as ‘Figgy Pudding’ delivered a performance as sweet as his costume. Each reveal was met with cheers, laughter, and a touch of disbelief—just the right recipe for a Boxing Day television treat.
The Masked Singer Christmas special also serves as a teaser for the main series, which is set to return on January 3, 2026. Fans hoping to see more of Dermot O’Leary on the show will be disappointed, however; as he told The Sun, he couldn’t fit the main series into his busy schedule. Nevertheless, his spirited turn as ‘Mistletoe’ has cemented his place in Masked Singer history.
The show’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to blend mystery, music, and humor in a format that feels fresh with every new twist. The Christmas special, with its pantomime flair and celebrity surprises, was a perfect capstone to the holiday season. As the judges and panelists bid farewell to another round of masked mayhem, viewers were left with the promise of more to come in the new year—and perhaps a few lingering questions about just who might be behind the next set of masks.
For now, though, Dermot O’Leary’s victory as ‘Mistletoe’ will be remembered as one of the most entertaining—and unmistakable—moments in the show’s festive history.
