In a live broadcast that left viewers and co-host Cat Deeley utterly astonished, Ben Shephard inadvertently revealed a significant behind-the-scenes secret from ITV's hit show The Masked Singer during an episode of This Morning. The presenting duo were discussing the popular series, which Ben, 51, competed on earlier this year, narrowly missing out on the top spot as the endearing character Conkers.
Shocking Revelation on Live Television
While reflecting on his experience on the show, Ben detailed some of the intricate behind-the-scenes elements, including the singing rehearsals that take place between episodes. Without hesitation, he spilled the beans to Cat, 49, about where the celebrities—whose identities are meticulously hidden throughout the competition—go to practice their performances.
Cat was left gasping, exclaiming, "I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to reveal that!" She immediately expressed concern that the disclosed location in Notting Hill would now be "watched by paparazzi" ahead of future episodes, potentially compromising the show's strict secrecy measures.
Extreme Measures to Maintain Secrecy
The efforts to keep celebrities from being unmasked on The Masked Singer are monumental. Famous faces are kept separate throughout the competition until their big reveal, referred to only by their character names, transported individually, and required to wear disguises at all times while working on the show to prevent any spoilers.
Ben's casual slip into conversation highlighted just how challenging it can be to maintain this level of confidentiality, even for seasoned television presenters. Last month, Ben had opened up about the difficulties of keeping secrets from his ITV co-stars, revealing that his This Morning colleague Cat was left in tears upon seeing his Conkers costume for the first time.
The Unmasking and Aftermath
In the series seven final, Ben was unmasked as Conkers, shocking judges and host Joel Dommett—especially since Ben had appeared as a guest judge only a few episodes earlier. Speaking after the reveal, the Tipping Point presenter addressed the deception involved in keeping his identity under wraps.
"As a rule, I think I’m pretty straight down the line, and the fact I got to do something so underhand…" Ben shared, noting how he had even interviewed unmasked celebrities on This Morning without them knowing he was still in the competition. "It’s an isolating experience going on this show, as you can’t tell anyone. I can’t wait to be able to talk to everyone about it."
Reactions from Colleagues and a Toddler's Slip-Up
After The Masked Singer uploaded Ben's unveiling to Instagram, his TV colleagues quickly shared their reactions. Cat Deeley commented on the costume, writing, "I cried the first time I saw it!" while others like Gaby Roslin and Lorraine Kelly praised the performance.
In a humorous twist, host Joel Dommett shared a video of his two-year-old son, Wilde, accidentally revealing Ben's identity by announcing, "Ben Shephard is Conker." Joel captioned the clip, "Don’t tell a 2 year old secrets," joking that even an NDA couldn't prevent the toddler's slip-up. Ben himself quipped in the comments, "I told him in secret I promise."
Behind the Scenes: Strict Protocols and NDAs
While the episodes are pre-recorded, with Joel and the judging panel finding out months before the public, audience members must adhere to strict rules, including signing non-disclosure agreements and handing in their phones. Joel previously revealed on Sunday Brunch that the live audience isn't allowed to watch the unmasking either, to ensure complete secrecy.
Contestants themselves are bound by extreme confidentiality measures, wearing gloves, visors, and hoodies with "Don’t Speak To Me" messages backstage, and are forbidden from revealing their identities even to family and close friends. The Masked Singer is available to stream on ITVX, continuing to captivate audiences with its blend of mystery and entertainment.
