Marcella Detroit Unmasked As Gargoyle On Masked Singer

The Masked Singer UK delivered another jaw-dropping reveal on January 17, 2026, as the show’s Spooktacular Special aired on ITV1 and ITVX. This time, the elaborate Gargoyle costume was removed to reveal none other than Marcella Detroit, the American singer-songwriter famed for her work with Shakespears Sister. The dramatic unmasking, which came after a tense sing-off against Sloth, sent ripples of excitement through both the studio audience and viewers at home, as reported by Metro and other outlets.

The seventh series of The Masked Singer UK, which kicked off on January 3, 2026, has been as unpredictable and entertaining as ever. Hosted by Joel Dommett, the show continues to captivate audiences with its blend of mystery, music, and celebrity spectacle. The judging panel—Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan—has been joined by a rotating cast of special guests, with Ben Shephard from This Morning lending his expertise for the Spooktacular episode.

Marcella Detroit, 73, is no stranger to the limelight. Known professionally also as Marcy Levy, she rose to fame as a member of Shakespears Sister, joining the band in 1988. Her powerful vocals drove the iconic single "Stay" to the top of the UK charts for an impressive eight consecutive weeks in 1992. After departing the group, she achieved solo success with the UK top 20 hit "I Believe" in 1994 and later formed the Marcy Levy Band in 2002. Detroit’s career is peppered with musical milestones, including writing with Eric Clapton and opening for David Bowie, as highlighted by Metro.

Despite her storied background, none of the panelists managed to guess Gargoyle’s true identity. The clues were as cryptic as ever: three peppers on stage referenced Detroit’s appearance in the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band film during the late 1970s, while a "Gargoyl" poster missing an "E" nodded to the vowel dropped from Shakespears Sister’s band name. Even with these hints, guesses ranged from Cyndi Lauper to Ruby Wax, but the reveal left everyone stunned.

After being unmasked, Detroit shared her feelings about the experience in a post-show Q&A. She admitted, "I was really sad to be eliminated," but called her time on the show "an incredible experience." When asked whether The Masked Singer could be considered a career highlight, she responded, "Yeah, why not? There’s a mystic about it. It’s kind of challenging, but it’s also fun because no one really knows who you are. You can just have fun with it." Her candor and enthusiasm were echoed by fans on social media, with one posting, "Wow…Marcella Detroit legend," and another marveling, "Marcella Detroit has still got it, what a song 'Stay' is," according to Metro.

The Spooktacular Special itself was packed with memorable performances. Gargoyle’s swan song was a dramatic rendition of "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence, a choice that showcased Detroit’s vocal prowess. Meanwhile, Sloth performed "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, prompting the panel to guess celebrities like David Dickinson, while fans online speculated it might be comedian David Baddiel or even Joe Wicks, Ed Balls, or Michael Fabricant, as noted by Digital Spy.

This year’s roster of contestants has been especially diverse, featuring characters such as Moth, Can Of Worms, Red Panda, Conkers, Arctic Fox, Toastie, Monkey Business, Yak, Sloth, Gargoyle, Disc Jockey, and Teabag. The elaborate costumes and playful personas have kept both the panel and viewers guessing. Notably, the Red Panda character returned to the stage for the first time since being pulled from the January 3 episode due to sensitivities following a tragic Swiss bar fire. ITV explained, "In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda’s performance... owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song. Viewers will get to see Red Panda perform in the coming weeks."

The unmaskings so far have been nothing short of headline-grabbing. The first episode saw Alex Jones, beloved presenter of BBC’s The One Show, revealed as Disc Jockey. In the second episode, rapper and singer-songwriter Professor Green was unmasked as Teabag. The following week, Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, was revealed as the flamboyant Yak. Lydon described his experience as "unbelievable" and joked about trying not to give his identity away: "A lot of the clues beat around the bush. But, I mean, it’s kind of obvious my voice, isn’t it? I didn’t want to give the game away, so I tried everything I could not to come across as a singer. It apparently worked."

Adding to the fun, pop star Anne-Marie and comedian Matt Lucas made memorable appearances as Goldfish and Emperor Penguin, respectively. After being unmasked, both joined the judging panel for the remainder of the season, injecting fresh energy and perspective into the guessing game.

The Masked Singer’s format remains a winning formula—celebrity contestants, concealed in outrageous costumes, perform anonymously while the judges and viewers try to deduce their identities from a mix of vocal clues, cryptic hints, and on-stage antics. The blend of suspense, humor, and musical talent keeps audiences coming back week after week, eager for the next big reveal.

As the competition heats up, remaining contestants like Red Panda, Monkey Business, Conkers, and Toastie are all vying for the coveted crown, hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2025 winner Samantha Barks. With the next episode set for January 24, fans are already speculating about who will be unmasked next and which surprises the producers have in store.

For those who missed the latest episode, The Masked Singer airs on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX. With its unique blend of music, mystery, and celebrity intrigue, it’s no wonder the show continues to be a Saturday night staple for viewers across the UK.

Marcella Detroit’s unmasking as Gargoyle was a reminder of the show’s enduring appeal: even seasoned music legends can find new ways to surprise and delight audiences, proving that when it comes to The Masked Singer, you never really know who’s behind the mask until the final reveal.