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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Will Twigger

The Masked Singer's Justin Hawkins admits he felt 'isolated' by show's strict rules

The Masked Singer is one of the weirdest offerings telly has produced in recent years.

The idea being that the public and judges have to guess the identities of mystery celebs in outlandish costumes, measures are taken to ensure no one wrangles who's behind the alter egos.

Justin Hawkins , The Darkness frontman and the man behind Chameleon, has revealed that the process made his Masked Singer experience one of loneliness.

The 44 year old explained to The Daily Star Online that he felt cut-off during the show.

"It was a lonely, lonely time," Justin said, "You just sort of...it was very isolating. I was very isolated."

Justin said it was 'a lonely, lonely time' on the show (ITV)

Still, it wasn't all bad as Justin also dished on the elaborate methods used to make sure everything was kept under wraps.

He added that they were incredibly strict about keeping their identities secret, but that it was "fun" to take part in something so different.

He was unmasked as the man behind Chameleon (ITV)
Justin said the judges may not have made their comments if he'd be a female contestant (ITV)

He continued that they were moved about in blacked-out cars, with every contestant put up in a different hotel.

Justin revealed that their dressing rooms were soundproofed, and even outside the studio steps were taken so none of the celebs would bump into each other.

The show was embroiled in a sexism row after Justin told The Daily Mirror that the judges' comments about his physique may not have been tolerated had he been a woman.

Teddy was behind Tree (ITV)

He said: "Not sure if some of the remarks would be allowed if I were a female contestant, so I think we're a little way off equality."

His costume drew a whole lot of attention from the judges, with Rita Ora admitting she'd "checked out" the star, with Jonathan Ross chiming in that he could "see everything."

Justin laughed that he'd still "enjoyed the attention", but that the skintight Lycra on his costume made him "feel a little exposed in key areas."

The latest episode saw Tree unmasked as footballing icon Teddy Sherringham.

Previous weeks have seen EastEnders' Patsy Palmer and former Cabinet member Alan Johnson. 

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