The Masked Singer UK kicked off its 2026 series with a bang, dazzling viewers with flamboyant costumes, electrifying performances, and, as always, a few jaw-dropping surprises. On January 4, 2026, the ITV hit returned to screens, unveiling a fresh line-up of masked celebrities and delivering a double dose of star reveals that left both the studio audience and fans at home buzzing with excitement.
This season’s judging panel remains a star-studded affair, with Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama returning to their familiar seats. Host Joel Dommett also reprised his role, keeping the show’s trademark energy high and the banter flowing. The curtain rose on a stage teeming with new characters: Arctic Fox, Yak, Toastie, Tea-Bag, Monkey Business, Conkers, Moth, Can Of Worms, Red Panda, Sloth, Gargoyle, Disc Jockey, and, notably, Goldfish. The anticipation was palpable as the contestants prepared to serenade the nation while keeping their true identities tightly under wraps.
Adding a twist to the new season, for the first time in Masked Singer history, the show introduced The Masked Singer Band, headlining the first two episodes. On this particular night, viewers were treated to a special performance by Emperor Penguin and the 'Antarctic Funkeys,' with guest judge Matt Lucas temporarily donning the Emperor Penguin persona. The addition brought extra flair and unpredictability to an already unpredictable show, and fans couldn’t get enough.
The format, as always, saw each masked celebrity perform before the judges and the audience, who then tried to piece together cryptic clues and outrageous performances to guess who was behind the mask. The panel’s guesses ranged from the plausible to the delightfully absurd, with names like Richard Osman, Stephen Merchant, and Dan Snow thrown into the mix for Tea-Bag. But, as is often the case, the truth was even more surprising.
After all six acts had performed—Arctic Fox, Yak, Toastie, Tea-Bag, Monkey Business, and Conkers—the studio audience was tasked with saving their favorites. Despite strong performances, Yak and Tea-Bag landed in the bottom two. The judges deliberated, ultimately choosing to save Yak, which meant Tea-Bag would be unmasked. The tension in the studio was thick as the mask came off, revealing none other than rapper Professor Green as the person behind the quirky Tea-Bag costume.
The reaction was instantaneous and electric. According to Digital Spy, fans took to social media in droves to express their disbelief. One viewer wrote, "Right ok I woulda never guess tea bag in a million years hahaha well played like a 'pro.'" Another echoed, "Never would have guessed Professor Green in a million years." Even Maya Jama, a judge and friend of Professor Green, was caught off guard. She shared her astonishment online, saying, "Still can't believe I didn’t guess right 'teabag' is a wild costume."
Professor Green himself seemed to relish the experience, even if it ended sooner than he might have hoped. Reflecting on his time on the show, he told Digital Spy, "What a nice place to be in. To get to a point in my career where I can say, 'Yeah I'll do that.' Where I don't take myself too seriously. I don't know if I ever did. I probably would have done this fifteen years ago, to be fair. I was petrified. I can't sing. I was trying to sing in RP [received pronunciation], I can't even talk in RP." He added, "I can't believe it, well I can believe it but I can’t believe it. I thought people would have enjoyed the Tea-Bag. It was quite scary. My son is going to love it. Although I did show him a photo of the costume with no context and I said 'Do you like it?' and he said 'No.'"
But the surprises didn’t end there. Just as the dust was settling from Professor Green’s unmasking, another mystery was already captivating viewers: the identity of Goldfish. Within minutes of Goldfish’s performance, fans across social media were nearly unanimous in their guess—Anne-Marie. As reported by The Star, one fan tweeted, "Without a doubt @AnneMarie is goldfish!! #MaskedSingerUK," while another chimed in, "Goldfish sounds like Anne-Marie #MaskedSingerUK." The consensus was so widespread that it became a running joke online, with one person quipping, "Well going by comments I know who this is." Anne-Marie, known for hits like "Rewrite the Stars," "Baby Don't Hurt Me," and "2002," quickly became the frontrunner in the guessing game, though the show’s producers remained tight-lipped about whether the fans were right.
The Masked Singer UK has always thrived on its blend of spectacle, secrecy, and good-natured sleuthing. This year’s cast of characters, from Moth and Can Of Worms to Red Panda, Sloth, Gargoyle, and Disc Jockey, promises even more outlandish costumes and head-scratching clues. And with the addition of The Masked Singer Band, led by Emperor Penguin and the Antarctic Funkeys, the show has managed to up the ante, making each episode feel like a mini music festival wrapped in a whodunit.
The judging panel’s chemistry remains a highlight, with Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama riffing off each other’s wild guesses and playful banter. Guest judge Matt Lucas brought a fresh energy, especially as he embodied Emperor Penguin for his stint on the show, further blurring the line between judge and performer. The format, which lets the studio audience have a say in who stays and who goes, keeps the stakes high and the outcomes unpredictable.
For those eager to catch every twist and turn, The Masked Singer UK continues next Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and is available on demand via ITVX. With more unmaskings promised and the panel determined to outdo themselves in the guessing stakes, the 2026 series is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining yet.
Whether you’re tuning in for the costumes, the performances, or the sheer joy of the reveal, The Masked Singer UK remains a bright spot on the winter TV calendar—delivering unexpected moments, hearty laughs, and just enough mystery to keep everyone guessing until the very end.
