'Masked Singer' viewers say Cockroach was robbed as singing superstar loses contest

From Bandicoot TV

The Masked Singer: I’m A Celebrity Special on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Cockroach.

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The Masked Singer's Cockroach was unmasked as Russell Watson. (ITV)

The Masked Singer: I'm A Celebrity special viewers have expressed shock that singing superstar Russell Watson was voted out second, saying he was "robbed" by the other contestants.

A one-off episode of the hit contest took on a jungle theme in honour of the launch of this year's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, with former campmates in costume and singing.

Read more: All the campmates for I'm A Celebrity 2022

Four ex-campmates took part, but viewers couldn't believe that accomplished singer Watson was voted out second, being beaten in a singing battle by Kangaroo – who turned out to be Sinitta.

As he was unmasked, one viewer tweeted: "Hello police, yes I have just witnessed Cockroach being robbed by the #maskedsingeruk audience from winning the whole show."

Someone else agreed: "Sorry but cockroach was ROBBED!! One of the best performances ever on masked singer WTF?!?!"

Another viewer commented: "WHAT!!! Cockroach should have won with that voice !!! Wow."

Someone else wrote: "Cockroach should have won that by a mile, by far the best."

Read more: I'm A Celebrity's Owen Warner asks Boy George his name

Those watching the show, which is pre-recorded and voted for by the studio audience with judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross chipping in at some points, were particularly surprised that in a straight choice between Cockroach (Russell Watson) and Kangaroo (Sinitta), Kangaroo won.

From Bandicoot TV

The Masked Singer: I’m A Celebrity Special on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Kangaroo.

This photograph is (C) Bandicoot TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk.  This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms

For further information please contact:
james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
Kangaroo was Sinitta. (ITV)

One viewer tweeted: "I’m sorry but cockroach was so much better than kangaroo."

Someone else agreed: "Are the audience okay? Cockroach was clearly better."

Another viewer asked: "Were the audience at the @MaskedSingerUK wearing earplugs? 8 votes between Cockroach & Kangaroo?! Huh!! Kangaroo beat cockroach?! Huh!"

Someone else wrote: "I’m so sorry cockroach you deserved to win the whole show I apologise on behalf of the death audience xxx"

The Masked Singer: I'm A Celebrity Special: The judges will try to decipher which celebrities are Cockroach, Kangaroo, Witchetty Grub, and Koala. (ITV)
All The Masked Singer: I'm A Celebrity Special contestants. (ITV)

However, it was Koala who won the entire show, who was unmasked as Vernon Kay, while viewers were surprised to find that Witchetty Grub, unmasked first, was Alison Hammond.

One viewer tweeted: "Wow!! I didn’t know Alison Hammond could sing!"

Despite disagreement over the result, viewers were in agreement that the ITV show mash-up worked well for a special episode.

One person tweeted: "Gonna start a petition for this to be a yearly regular thing before I’m a celeb starts x"

Watch: I'm A Celebrity viewers spot brewing 'feud' between Owen Warner and Mike Tindall