Saturday night television took a dramatic turn on February 7, 2026, as the semi-final of The Masked Singer aired live on ITV, delivering not one but two high-profile unmaskings that sent fans and judges alike into a frenzy of speculation and surprise. The popular musical guessing game, now a staple of British weekend entertainment, continued its tradition of dazzling costumes, cryptic clues, and celebrity panel banter, but it was the identities revealed beneath the masks that truly stole the show.
Comedian Katherine Ryan, herself no stranger to the show after competing as Pigeon in a previous season, joined the regular panel—Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan—for the semi-final. Together, they faced the daunting task of deciphering the true identities of the remaining contestants, including Sloth, Can of Worms, Moth, Toastie, and Conkers. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the performances unfolded, each act trying to secure a coveted place in next week’s grand finale.
The first shock of the night came when Sloth was unmasked, revealing none other than English broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle. Fogle, 52, had charmed the audience with his enthusiastic renditions of “We All Stand Together” by Sir Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus, and the musical theatre classic “Flash Bang Wallop” from Half a Sixpence. Despite not being a natural-born singer, Fogle embraced the experience wholeheartedly. As reported by The Mirror, he said, “I am so happy to have got this far. I’m not a natural-born singer, but it’s been so joyous. 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.”
But the night’s main event was the unmasking of Can of Worms, who had survived several rounds with energetic performances and a mysterious air. When the time came, the audience and panel watched with bated breath as the costume came off to reveal Marvin Humes, 40, the singer and radio host best known as a member of the chart-topping boyband JLS. Humes’ identity was a closely guarded secret, and only judge Mo Gilligan managed to guess correctly before the reveal.
Marvin’s journey on the show was marked by a diverse setlist, including crowd-pleasers like DJ Casper’s “Cha Cha Slide” and John Legend’s “Ordinary People.” He also delighted viewers with songs he often sings to his children at home, such as “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, “Pure Imagination” from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and even a bit of Sean Paul. After his unmasking, Humes was effusive in his praise for the show, telling host Joel Dommett, “It’s been the best show I’ve been a part of. Thank you so much, everyone, it’s been amazing.” He added, “It’s the most bizarre show, I just sang what I sing to the kids at home, basically.”
For Humes, the experience was not only about entertaining the audience but also about personal growth. As he explained to The Sun, “What’s really strange for me is I haven’t sung by myself in a long time. 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. When the band [JLS] finished, I didn’t really do any solo music that way, so yeah, it’s been really cool.”
Humes’ family played a special role in his journey. He waved to the camera for his youngest children, Valentina and Blake, who were unaware of their father’s participation. Only his eldest child was in on the secret, adding an extra layer of excitement and surprise to the episode. During a live video with his wife Rochelle and their children after the show, Humes teased fans about the remaining finalists—Moth, Conkers, and Toastie—hinting that viewers’ minds would be “blown” when Conkers’ identity is finally revealed. “Wait until you find out who Conkers is—it’s going to be special,” he teased, as reported by The Mirror.
Behind the scenes, the show’s producers go to extreme lengths to keep the contestants’ identities hidden, even from each other. Humes revealed, “You literally never see anybody. It’s only because I clocked the voices and I had them confirmed... I guessed Moth’s voice from the first week, that first pop group number together. Just because I know that voice.” Still, the secrecy is so tight that contestants are whisked directly from their dressing rooms to the stage, then straight back to their cars after performing.
Humes also opened up about the physical challenges of performing in the Can of Worms costume. “It is so hot underneath that costume. The helmet is so heavy. My shoulders, my arms were in agony,” he confessed, providing a glimpse into the less glamorous side of the show. Interestingly, Humes was the last celebrity to sign up for this season, convinced by his JLS bandmate Aston Merrygold, who had previously competed on the show in 2021.
The semi-final also featured standout performances from the other remaining contestants. Toastie delivered a lively rendition of “Raining Men,” while Conkers wowed the crowd with JLS’ own hit “Everybody in Love”—a twist Marvin Humes described as “crazy” given he was eliminated the same week that song was performed. Moth impressed with Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need.” At the end of the night, it was Moth, Conkers, and Toastie who secured their spots in the grand final, set to air on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
As the curtain falls on this season’s semi-final, The Masked Singer continues to captivate audiences with its blend of spectacle, suspense, and heartwarming moments. With the identities of the finalists still under wraps, fans are left eagerly awaiting the grand reveal—and perhaps a few more surprises—when the show returns for its much-anticipated finale.