Punk Legend and Comedy Star Unmasked in Dramatic Weekend
ITV's The Masked Singer delivered two of its most surprising reveals to date over the weekend, leaving viewers and judges stunned. The spectacle culminated in the unmasking of punk icon John Lydon and comedy actor Matt Lucas, sending fans into a frenzy on social media.
Yak's Identity Rocks the Panel
During Saturday night's episode, the characters Monkey Business and Yak found themselves in a tense sing-off. Despite their efforts, Yak failed to secure enough votes from the studio audience and was ultimately eliminated by the judging panel, which included Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan.
The moment of revelation proved to be a major shock when the costume was removed to reveal John Lydon, the former Sex Pistols frontman, famously known as Johnny Rotten. His participation in the light-hearted show was a stark contrast to his rebellious punk persona, creating a truly unexpected television moment.
Emperor Penguin's 'Amazing Voice' Stuns Fans
The surprises continued into Sunday's show with another major unmasking. After a performance with a live band, the character Emperor Penguin was revealed to be comedian and actor Matt Lucas, 51. The judges had incorrectly guessed celebrities like Peter Andre, Bradley Walsh, or Sir Trevor McDonald.
Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their astonishment at Lucas's vocal talent. Comments flooded in praising his "amazing voice" and "good pipes." Many noted that his singing ability should have been no secret, given his regular performances as Monsieur Thénardier in Les Misérables, including for the musical's 25th-anniversary concerts.
After the reveal, Lucas joked about his costume choice, saying, "I like a chocolate biscuit." He also commented on his experience in the hot costume and quipped that the panel's guesses were "pretty poor."
A Weekend of Double Eliminations
The weekend featured a double elimination, adding to the drama. Following Yak's exit, the character Teabag was also voted out after landing in the bottom two. Teabag was unveiled as rapper Professor Green, 42, much to the surprise of the judges, who had guessed figures like Mike Tindall or Judge Rinder.
Professor Green expressed his nerves about singing on the show, admitting, "I can’t sing. I was trying to sing in RP [received pronunciation], I can’t even talk in RP." He saw his participation as a sign of not taking himself too seriously.
This series has already seen other notable reveals, including The One Show's Alex Jones as Disc Jockey and pop star Anne-Marie as Goldfish. The new series features a fresh line-up of celebrities in elaborate costumes, including Monkey Business, Toastie, Arctic Fox, and Conkers, all battling to keep their identities hidden while performing chart hits.
The Masked Singer continues to be a ratings hit for ITV, blending mystery, music, and celebrity surprise in a uniquely entertaining format. The show airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
