The seventh series of ITV's hit show The Masked Singer UK launched with a stunning early elimination, sending shockwaves through the studio audience and viewers at home.
An Early Exit for the Disc Jockey
Saturday night's grand return featured a fresh line-up of celebrities concealed within extravagant costumes, all vying to keep their identities under wraps. However, one contestant's journey was brutally cut short. The character Disc Jockey found themselves in the bottom two after performing Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club'.
In a tense face-off against Gargoyle, Disc Jockey lost the panel's vote, forcing an unmasking far sooner than anyone anticipated. Before the reveal, the judges made their final guesses. Mo Gilligan suggested radio legend Annie Mac, while Davina McCall proposed footballer Jill Scott. Guest judge Anne-Marie, absent for the performance, humorously guessed 'that bird on the cake show' – Mary Berry.
Jonathan Ross was convinced it was Sara Cox, and Maya Jama backed Bonnie Tyler. All guesses were incorrect.
Alex Jones Revealed for Her Children
The mask finally came off to reveal Alex Jones, the beloved presenter of The One Show. The 48-year-old, greeted by cheers, immediately spoke to host Joel Dommett. "I have had a lot of fun," she said. "We love this programme, as a family, and I just thought it would be a lot of fun and that to do it for my children would be wonderful. And it's the most bizarre experience of my life!"
She dedicated her performance to her three children, saying, "Teddy, Kit and Annie, this was for you. I hope that you've loved it." Jones explained her motivation was to show her family that fear shouldn't prevent you from trying new things. "I want them to know that overcoming fear is a good thing. I am not a singer but I gave it a go, and I think that's the take home for them," she stated.
She joked that her kids would likely cringe in the future, before bowing out with an unmasked encore that earned a standing ovation.
Anne-Marie's Double Duty as Goldfish and Judge
The premiere featured another major surprise with the unveiling of Goldfish. After performing the viral hit 'APT.' by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak with the live band No Trout – a series first – the judges correctly identified the pop star as Anne-Marie.
Reflecting on the strange experience of hearing her own voice through the costume, she said, "I'm used to the voice just going that way [in front of me] but in the thing, it was like 'Oh, that's what I sound like!'" She then treated the audience to a performance of her hit '2002' before joining the panel as the guest judge.
Viewers on social media were thrilled, with one fan writing: "Petition to get Anne Marie as a full time panellist on #TheMaskedSinger."
The competition continues for the remaining costumes, including Gargoyle, Red Panda, Can of Worms, Moth, and Sloth. A second group – Monkey Business, Teabag, Toastie, Yak, Arctic Fox, and Conkers – will make their debut on Sunday night.
Host Joel Dommett had previously teased that this season would feature "the most unmaskings ever," with reports suggesting four reveals across the first two episodes alone. The new series follows the victory of Samantha Barks as Pufferfish in the last run.
The Masked Singer airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
