Ben Shephard has revealed how he tricked his fellow judges on The Masked Singer after being unmasked as the Conker costume in the 2026 finale. The 51-year-old This Morning star finished as runner-up, with Sugababes icon Keisha Buchanan winning as Moth.
The judges—Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama, Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross—were stunned to discover Shephard had been competing, especially since he had appeared as a guest judge on a Halloween-themed episode weeks earlier. Shephard admitted he relished fooling his co-stars, saying: 'I’ve loved it. The experience has been remarkable. Davina was talking to me in the most minute detail about what happens when you’re a contestant. I was asking her loads of questions.'
Shephard, a father of two sons aged 21 and 19, said they would be thrilled by his secret participation. He also suggested This Morning co-host Cat Deeley would be shocked, noting he had been interviewing unmasked celebrities on the show without revealing his own involvement.
The TV star explained he chose the Conker costume after turning 50 and seeking new challenges. He said: 'I fell in love with it immediately. I worked on the idea that Conkers wants to be really brave, but he is actually just a little bit nervous.'
Mica Paris also reached the final, performing as a toasted sandwich. Past contestants Andrea Corr, Will Young and Samantha Barks returned for duets. The Masked Singer has been renewed for two seasons covering 2025 and 2026, but further episodes have not yet been confirmed.
