Holly Johnson, the iconic frontman of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, has been crowned the winner of the 2024 Christmas Special of The Masked Singer. Johnson, who performed under the Nutcracker costume, captivated audiences with his soulful rendition of holiday classics, culminating in his surprise unmasking.
On the memorable episode, aired on Boxing Day, the show’s panel featured regular judges Mo Gilligan and Jonathan Ross alongside guest judges Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Throughout the evening, the panel endeavored to guess the identities behind the Christmas-themed masks, including Christmas Cracker, Star, Turkey Crown, and Nutcracker, leading to many surprising reveals.
The night began with the initial performances from Christmas Cracker and Star, where both contestants showcased their vocal talents with festive songs. Among the panel's guesses for Christmas Cracker were personalities like Denise Welch, AJ Odudu, and Rachel Riley. To their astonishment, the Cracker turned out to be none other than This Morning presenter Josie Gibson, who described the experience as "out of my comfort zone" when she took to the stage.
Next up was Royal Family fixture Turkey Crown, eventually unmasked to reveal Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse. She performed “Wonderful Christmastime,” much to the delight of the audience. Following her was the shocking reveal of Star, who turned out to be regular panellist Davina McCall. The audience and the rest of the panel were left stunned, as she had originally been thought to be unwell with a severe illness, which Joel Dommett, the show's host, humorously pointed out: "You lied to me right to my face. You told me you couldn't be here because you had severe diarrhoea!"
Davina, who recently underwent surgery to remove a rare benign tumor from her brain, expressed joy at being able to perform again, saying, "It was one of the greatest experiences of my life... I never expected to enjoy the whole process of singing as much as I did." Her performances of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “This Christmas” highlighted her exceptional singing talent, which had gone previously underestimated by her fellow judges.
Viewers were treated to heartfelt moments as Johnson, revealed as Nutcracker, reflected on his performance and expressed relief at not having to participate in pantomime. "I've enjoyed performing. I never thought I'd get to do this on such a level," Johnson quipped humorously after his unmasking.
Fans took to social media during and after the show to celebrate both Johnson and McCall. One viewer exclaimed, "What a Christmas treat to see Nutcracker unmasked as icon Holly Johnson! His voice is still as piercing and epic as ever—fantastic!" Others praised Davina’s vocal prowess, stating their surprise at her unexpected talent.
The episode concluded with host Joel Dommett teasing fans of the upcoming series set to launch on January 4, 2025. The show has garnered over 37 million viewers since its debut, proving its steadfast popularity among audiences of all ages. Dommett also hinted at new exciting developments, including the introduction of new panelist Maya Jama, who expressed her enthusiasm for joining the show, stating, "I'm such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel ... is going to be so much fun!"
The Masked Singer Christmas Special successfully blended star-studded performances and surprising reveals with heartwarming moments, enabling fans to bask in the festive spirit. With Johnson as the crowned champion and McCall’s emotional return to performing, the show continues to delight viewers and promises even more excitement as the new season approaches.
