Dedicated viewers of ITV's popular guessing game The Masked Singer are embroiled in a heated debate over the true identity of the mysterious character Sloth, with compelling theories pointing towards two very different British celebrities.
The Case for Jamie Oliver
Many fans are utterly convinced that the familiar voice emanating from the elaborate Sloth costume belongs to none other than the nation's favourite TV chef, Jamie Oliver. This belief has been fuelled by social media discussions, particularly on platforms like Reddit, where viewers have dissected every available clue.
One fan emphatically stated, 'I'm 99.9% sure Sloth is Jamie Oliver,' while another simply declared, 'Has to be Jamie Oliver!' The vocal similarity is a major factor, with supporters noting his distinctive tone and even a slight lisp heard during performances of songs like Matthew Wilder's 'Break My Stride' and George Ezra's 'Green Green Grass'.
Further evidence cited includes a clue featuring a letter signed 'GC', which fans interpret as a reference to Jamie Oliver's friend and culinary mentor, Gennaro Contaldo. The combination of vocal recognition and this personal nod has solidified the theory for a significant portion of the audience.
The Competing Theory: Sam Thompson
However, a rival and equally persuasive theory has emerged, championing reality TV star and 2023 King of the Jungle Sam Thompson. Proponents of this idea argue that several clues align perfectly with his public persona and career highlights.
The jungle references in the clues are seen as a direct link to his victory on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Other hints have been meticulously connected to his life:
- The phrase 'Good morning workout warriors' is linked to his Love Island Morning After podcast and his well-documented fitness journey.
- Clues mentioning a 'Guide to Manchester' and the mantra 'Pain is temporary' are associated with his gruelling Soccer Aid charity walk from London to Manchester.
- References to handcuffs recall a viral stunt where he was cuffed to his podcast co-host Pete Wicks for 24 hours.
- Mentions of an alarm clock and 'Spin Doctors' tie into his radio presenting work on Hits Radio.
One detailed Reddit analysis concluded, 'I'm sticking with Sam Thompson', after mapping this extensive array of clues to his biography.
Behind the Scenes Revelations
The speculation unfolds amidst revelations about the show's production. A TikTok user claiming insider knowledge has alleged that the live studio audience is not present during the crucial unmasking segments to prevent leaks.
According to the source, the audience is removed, and the reveals are filmed on a closed, near-silent set. The cheers and crowd reactions heard on broadcast are reportedly pre-recorded and added during editing, with only the judges' genuine reactions captured in the moment.
Other Characters in the Spotlight
The mystery extends beyond Sloth. Fans are also theorising about other contestants, such as Conkers, who some believe is former Coronation Street actor Richard Fleeshman. Clues referencing soap operas, a piano, and a gold ring (potentially from winning Soapstar Superstar) have built a convincing case for his identity.
The competition remains fierce with characters like Moth, Red Panda, Can of Worms, Artic Fox, Toasie, and Monkey Business still in the running, following recent unmaskings including John Lydon as Yak and Marcella Detroit as Gargoyle.
As the series continues on ITV and ITVX, the audience's detective work shows no sign of slowing down, proving that the puzzle is often as entertaining as the performances themselves.
