On Boxing Day 2025, ITV delivered a sparkling dose of festive cheer with its much-anticipated Christmas special of The Masked Singer. The episode, which aired on December 26, brought together an eclectic mix of celebrities, elaborate costumes, and more than a few jaw-dropping reveals—culminating in TV legend Dermot O’Leary being crowned the night’s winner after months of secrecy.
The 90-minute special was hosted by Joel Dommett, who kept the energy high as four new masked characters—Mistletoe, Figgy Pudding, Santa’s Sack, and Goose A-Laying—took to the stage. Each performer belted out Christmas classics, while the show’s signature panel of Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, Davina McCall, and Mo Gilligan played detective, furiously jotting down guesses and decoding a flurry of cryptic clues. According to Metro, the panel’s banter and wild speculation were as much a part of the fun as the performances themselves.
Mistletoe, who eventually stole the show, kicked off the festivities with a heartfelt rendition of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.” As the audience and panel listened, speculation flew. Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Davina McCall all zeroed in on Dermot O’Leary as their top guess, while Mo Gilligan tossed out a wilder theory, suggesting Big Narstie. Viewers at home were equally vocal, with one tweeting, “No questioning that voice of Mistletoe – it has to be Mr Dermot O’Leary!”
The guessing game wasn’t the only source of suspense. Dermot O’Leary, who was secretly Mistletoe, later admitted the ordeal of keeping his participation under wraps was no small feat. In an interview with Daily Star, he confessed, “I love the secrecy and the subterfuge to a point. I did costume fittings back in the summer and I started doing vocal coaching then too.” He added, “I’d be walking around my kitchen singing ‘Last Christmas’ in June and July!”
O’Leary’s commitment didn’t stop at secret rehearsals. He even confided in his This Morning co-star Alison Hammond for advice, as she had previously competed on the show. “I must confess, I did tell Alison Hammond because she had done it before and I got her advice, but it was difficult, especially the closer it got to Christmas and the show was going to air,” Dermot revealed.
The challenges weren’t just psychological. The costume itself was a trial, as O’Leary described it: “I had no vision at all. It’s quite claustrophobic and it’s quite tight in the costume, which is fine as long as you deal with that. It was actually quite nice because I’m used to talking for a living and in this show, people aren’t allowed to talk to you. You are on your own with your thoughts which is quite weird, but you’re also terrified of falling over. One time I had to walk from the back of the stage to the front, around a table, and there was quite a big drop off the stage quite near it. It’s a weighty costume. It’s not easy and I like to dance as well.”
The episode’s format followed the familiar but much-loved pattern: each masked celebrity performed, then faced off against another, with the loser unmasked. Goose A-Laying was the first to be revealed, unmasked as the legendary actress Maureen Lipman. She took it in good spirits, joking, “I think I overgoosed myself. I got so into playing a funny goose, I forgot about the singing.” The audience and panel were equally surprised, with one fan exclaiming online, “Omg MAUREEN LIPMAN!!! I can’t believe I didn’t get that.”
Next up, Figgy Pudding delivered a memorable performance of “When a Child Is Born.” The clues pointed to a “gourmet globetrotter” and hinted at breakfast television, prompting guesses ranging from Noel Fielding to Johnny Vegas. But Maya Jama was spot on, correctly identifying radio DJ Scott Mills beneath the costume. Mills’ reveal was met with cheers and a flurry of praise on social media, particularly for Maya’s sharp detective work.
Santa’s Sack rounded out the first round of performances with clues about a “delivery dynasty” and a penchant for hairspray. The panel’s guesses included Lord Alan Sugar and Roman Kemp, but when the mask came off, it was none other than Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE. “It was absolutely wonderful,” she said. “I love singing. It was a joy for me to come on the show and sing my heart out.”
Adding to the festive mayhem were appearances by pantomime favorites: Su Pollard as Fairy Godmother, Christopher Biggins as a dame, Lesley Joseph as Wicked Stepmother, and Basil Brush as Prince Charming. These guest stars dropped extra clues and injected even more mischief into the proceedings, keeping both panel and viewers on their toes.
The final showdown saw Mistletoe and Figgy Pudding go head-to-head. O’Leary, in his mistletoe get-up, delivered a rousing performance of “Last Christmas” by Wham. The panel and audience were left in little doubt—this was Dermot O’Leary’s moment. When the mask finally came off, Davina McCall jokingly accused him, “I saw you two weeks ago and you knew you were doing this then! I’ll never trust you again!”
O’Leary, originally from Colchester and best known for hosting The X Factor and co-presenting This Morning, was delighted to finally share his secret. As he told Colchester Gazette, “It felt good. But I think everyone knew it was me by that point.” He also reflected on his win, saying, “I’m not 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.”
For O’Leary, the experience was as rewarding as it was challenging. “It was a bit of a relief to be unmasked in the end!” he admitted, referencing the months of secrecy and the physical demands of the performance. Social media erupted with congratulations, with one fan summing up the mood: “Our winner of this year Christmas Special! Has been unmasked as Dermot O’Leary – guessed you straight away.”
In a year when many viewers craved lighthearted entertainment, The Masked Singer Christmas special delivered in spades—offering a blend of music, mystery, and merriment that had audiences talking well into the new year.
