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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Ellie Muir

ITV clears up Masked Singer ‘spoiler’ on The One Show

BBC

The Masked Singer viewers can be reassured that a “spoiler” about the identity of one of the singing show’s mystery contestants was not a clue.

The One Show presenter Lauren Laverne appeared to have made a huge blunder during Thursday’s episode (4 January), in which it seemed as though she had given away a clue about the identity of one of the contestants on the new series of The Masked Singer.

Hosts Roman Kemp and Laverne chatted to the ITV entertainment series judge Davina McCall to discuss the latest edition, which returned to TV last Saturday (30 December).

Doctor Who fans are well aware that McCall made a cameo in the 2023 Christmas Special when the new Doctor, Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa, saved her from being crushed by a falling Christmas tree.

Appearing on The One Show, McCall said that it was on her “bucket list” to make a cameo on Doctor Who, before host Laverne said: “A former Doctor Who will be making an appearance on The Masked Singer this season alongside some huge music stars, including the legendary Dionne Warwick.”

Soul legend Warwick had been eliminated during the first show on Saturday night, but it became unclear who Laverne was referring to when she made the comment about a former Doctor being in the series. While it could have been a reference to guest judges on the show, the current lineup – Lorraine Kelly, Sir Lenny Henry, Rob Brydon and Ellie Goulding – does not include any former Doctors.

Davina McCall on ‘The Masked Singer’
— (The One Show)

This led viewers to conclude that it could have been a spoiler about the identity of one of the 11 mystery celebrities left in the singing competition.

However, The Independent has learnt that former Doctor David Tennant will make a cameo appearance during the series to provide clues to the panel about the remaining characters.

David Tennant will make an appearance on ITV’s ‘The Masked Singer’ to give the judges clues
— (PA)

ITV’s Masked Singer, which is presented by comedian Joel Dommett, sees a set of celebrities sing familiar songs on stage, while dressed up in a costume hiding their identities. The judges and in-studio audience have to guess who they are based on their voices and obscure clues given to them throughout the series. Alongside McCall on judging duties are Mo Gilligan, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross.

Later on in her One Show appearance, McCall described the “best” unmasking of the series so far, revealing the moment she sprinted on stage when the celebrity’s identity was revealed – and it was someone she knew well.

Dippy Egg is one of the contestants on ‘The Masked Singer’ tomorrow
— (ITV)

While McCall did not name the contestant, since the show is pre-recorded and this celebrity has not yet been unmasked, she said: “I sobbed, I cried, I know this person very well.”

Last week, a character called Weather was chosen to be unmasked after the judges were convinced that the celebrity hiding behind the costume was American soul legend Dionne Warwick. All of the judges but Mo Gilligan were eventually confident that it was the “Walk On By” singer hiding behind the bejewelled costume decorated with clouds and sequins.

Dionne Warwick after she is unmasked on ‘The Masked Singer’
— (ITV)

When it was revealed that their suspicions were correct and it was indeed Warwick, 83, behind the mask, the singer said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure. I said I can go on the show and have some fun but I can never try and disguise my voice.”

McCall said on The One Show: “What happened was, [Dionne] opened her mouth and sang one word and we knew it’s Dionne Warwick. Her voice is literally undisguisable.”

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