ITV's beloved guessing game show, The Masked Singer, saw its second contestant unveiled on January 5, 2025. The mystery behind Pegasus was finally solved when renowned chef and Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith was revealed as the celebrity behind the extravagant costume. This episode also saw Good Morning Britain's Kate Garraway unmasked as the character Spaghetti Bolognese, culminating from the suspenseful buildup of the previous night.
The panel, featuring regular judges Maya Jama, Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, and Jonathan Ross, welcomed special guest judge Vicky McClure to join the guessing game. Throughout the episode, engaging performances from characters like Bush, Pufferfish, and Bear debuted alongside Pegasus. But it was Pegasus and Bush who found themselves struggling to impress the studio audience, placing them at the bottom two.
With the audience having the final say, they collectively saved Bush, prompting Pegasus to remove her mask and reveal herself. The panel had made varied guesses before the reveal; Mo suggested Jane Seymour, Davina presumed it was Elizabeth McGovern, Vicky believed Clare Balding was hiding inside, Jonathan was firmly convinced it was Prue Leith, and Maya went with Joanna Lumley. It turned out, of course, to be Prue Leith stepping forth from behind the mask.
Once her identity was revealed, the 83-year-old chef spoke to host Joel Dommett, remarking on her experience on the show. Prue confessed to having taken vocal lessons prior to participating, indicating her commitment to the role, stating, “I’ve never sung a note. I’m tone deaf. I have been having lessons and I’ve got slowly able to at least make a noise.” Audience reactions were quick and reflective of their perceptions during the performance and reveal.
Comments flooded onto social media, particularly X, as viewers reacted to seeing Prue behind the mask. One user posted: “#maskedsingeruk probably the easiest one ever.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with another tweet saying, “Yes it was Prue; a judge from Bake Off.” Fans of the show were clearly captivated by the unmasking, with one exclaiming, “I knew it! PRUE LEITH. I got one right!”
Frustrated by how obvious the reveal seemed, multiple viewers expressed their disappointment at the lack of voice alteration, feeling it had dampened the surprise element. A viewer noted, “Definitely Prue Leith… there was no attempt to alter the voice or disguise it.” A consensus emerged among many fans, with comments such as “her voice is barely disguised” and “Of course, Pegasus is Prue Leith,” highlighting the overall lack of intrigue surrounding the reveal.
Despite mixed feelings from the audience, Prue Leith's participation added another layer of excitement to the current season of The Masked Singer. She was the second contestant to be unmasked this series, indicating fierce competition as other characters still remain to vie for the coveted title of the season's champion, including Bush, Wolf, Toad in the Hole, Bear, Teeth, Dressed Crab, Kingfisher, Snail, and Tattoo.
Interestingly, it wasn't the first time viewers had been left somewhat underwhelmed by the night’s reveals. Earlier, Kate Garraway's identity as Spaghetti Bolognese had emerged, leading some to feel it too lacked deep suspense. Kate humorously remarked during her reveal, “I can’t sing and I kept telling [the producers] but they said it doesn’t matter.”
Prue's Brave venture onto the stage marked her first attempt at singing, and as she embarks on this new adventure at 83, she hinted at newfound reckless abandon. Speaking to Heat magazine, she explained, “Because I’m so near the end, I’m a bit more reckless now. What's the worst thing can happen?”
That sense of spirit and willingness to embrace unconventional entertainment is something audiences seem to admire, considering Prue's historic career and the monumental status she holds within the culinary world. Since becoming a judge in 2016, she initiated journeys on television outside of her comfort zone, willing to embrace roles like this one.
Over the years, The Masked Singer has drawn significant views and entertained audiences with its quirky blend of music performance, celebrity guessing, and stunning costumes. The show, praised for its fun format and interactive elements, continues to build on its popularity from previous seasons, proving to be yet another hit for ITV.
Viewers now look forward to who remains unmasked, with the competition still showcasing bold costumes and eccentric performances. The series reminds us how even surprises can be predictable at times, but the joy it brings continues to engage and entertain audiences.