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The Masked Singer on ITV: All the celebrity contestants and theories

Photo credit: Vincent Dolman/DigitalSpy/AH - ITV
Photo credit: Vincent Dolman/DigitalSpy/AH - ITV

From Digital Spy

OK, we're fully signed up to The Masked Singer.

ITV's new flagship reality competition (which is actually an adaptation of an international series) might have debuted to a mixed reaction, but whatever your feelings about the concept, one thing is guaranteed. You wouldn't be here, after all, if you weren't filled with an impulsive need to know exactly who is behind each mask.

The show is already a hit. Each mysterious singer took their turn to trend on social media, and The Masked Singer clearly trounced its competition The Greatest Dancer when it came to the ratings. Not bad, considering the latter was a returning format.

The identities of Butterfly, Pharaoh, Chameleon, Duck and Unicorn have already been revealed (yes, that is a real sentence), but what about the remaining contestants?

Let's take a look.

Queen Bee

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: "Quite young" when their career began, and has been "a bit of a wild card". Queen Bee also mentioned looking after other people and hinted at being an activist, as well as a law-maker.

True or false? Under 30, well-known in fashion circles, not known for singing on stage.

The first to step out onto the UK's Masked Singer stage during episode one, Queen Bee got Twitter buzzing (sorry) with speculation right away.

Blasting their own rendition of 'Alive' by Sia, the judges and viewers alike were quick to decide – rightly or wrongly – that Queen Bee was a professional or seasoned singer.

Charli XCX, Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, Kylie Minogue and Margot Robbie were the initial names put forward by the panel (as a reminder, they are also none the wiser).

After episode two, the judges' guesses included Little Mix's Jesy Nelson, Nadine Coyle and Amal Clooney.

At home, many were convinced that it could be Charlotte Church. Having become famous at a young age as a classically-trained singer, Church later made moves to shed that image and enter the world of pop music.

It didn't take long for her to shut down rumours of her involvement in The Masked Singer, with Church tweeting: "I'm definitely not the bee, repeat NOT the bee."

Others seem to be swaying towards the idea of them being one of the members of Girls Aloud.

Those that are up on their girlband trivia will know that the one and only Nicola Roberts was in fact a WILD CARD on Popstars: The Rivals. Having been eliminated from the talent competition, she was eventually brought back to the show and, as we now know, made it all the way to the end.

But did she eventually end up in an extravagant Bee costume on ITV? Only time will tell.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

After episode two of The Masked Singer aired, viewers seemed even more convinced. One fan even put together a video comparing Roberts' vocals to Queen Bee's, and it certainly is pretty convincing.

What's more, taking into account the new clues, it was quickly pointed out that Nicola Roberts once backed an MP's bid to ban sunbed use by under-18s in tanning salons (via BBC News).

And they were right, as not only was Queen Bee Nicola all along, but she went on to win the series too.

Hedgehog

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: A "homely creature" that is "most active at night", whose "natural habitat" is the stage. Also, likely the biggest clue: "Once had a job that meant I died at 8.30 every night." Hedgehog likes being part of a team or an ensemble, and a Phantom of the Opera mask could be seen in the VT, along with a can of Hairspray.

True or false? Sometimes wears high heels on stage, once worked at a major fast food restaurant, has a daughter more famous than them.

Hedgehog sang a Little Mix number. 'Black Magic', to be precise.

Jason Manford and Jack Whitehall were among the guesses from the audience at home, while the judges put forward Eddie Izzard and Sir Ian McKellen (oh, please let this be true). Michael Crawford was also put forward in episode two.

We're kind of convinced that Hedgehog must have experience of being in a stage show, and Michael Ball seems to be a good candidate. Ball has been on the West End stage in a number of productions including The Phantom of the Opera, and played Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.

However, those comedic guesses were on the mark after all, as Hedgehog was unmasked as Jason Manford.

Chameleon

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: A self-proclaimed "dazzling urban act" that is "more used to the tech of the '70s", whatever any of that means.

True or false? In my job it is normal for me to become wet, once won three BAFTA awards, not unusual to wear tight trousers.

Chameleon provided a suitably moody version of Radiohead's 'Creep' in week one, complete with incredible high notes – but who are they?

Viewers seem quite stumped on this one. Nigel Havers, Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor were among those put forward by the judges, while viewers have speculated about Alexander Armstrong, Justin Hawkins (a neon light in the VT spelled out band name The Darkness – coincidence?) and Bake Off's Noel Fielding.

Richard Blackwood and Jason Statham were two of the most recent suggestions but, after an emotional sing-off against Duck, Chameleon was finally unmasked.

Justin Hawkins, welcome to The Masked Singer.

Daisy

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: Likes fishing, and wants to stay in the UK. Loves food and did a lot of cooking when young.

True or false? Arm in an Australian hell hole, ice hockey was their favourite sport, performed at Glastonbury.

Performing 'Can't Feel My Face' by The Weeknd against a psychedelic backdrop of colours, Daisy joined The Masked Singer in episode two.

Fans seemed pretty certain that they'd sussed who it was, with many digging the internet for clues that point towards singer/songwriter Kelis.

One had a clever theory based on the hint dropped about Daisy's real name:

While lots of others dug out an old Guardian interview where Kelis claimed fishing was one of her go-to activities to help her relax.

It is probably also worth pointing out that Kelis has a whole album called... Food.

Other suggested names included Lindsay Lohan (from the judges) and Holly Valance (from viewers), though in the end fans were bang on the money, as Daisy was indeed unmasked as Kelis.

Fox

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: This apparently "nosy" Fox can be found in the East End and also loves collecting teapots. Has hinted at dancing – a possible appearance on Strictly Come Dancing?

True or false? An award winning body, been on tour with Rolling Stones, one of the first stars of reality TV.

Rocking out (quite impressively) to Blondie's 'Call Me', Fox is probably one of the most-discussed contestants.

While the judges threw around some quite ludicrous suggestions like Dame Helen Mirren and Joanna Lumley, viewers think they've worked it out.

Rewinding to *that* random and very specific teapot fact, eagle-eyed fans have dug around the internet for clues and discovered that one British celebrity loves herself a brewing accessory.

Yes, in a now-resurfaced tweet, actor and presenter Denise Van Outen once revealed her hobby of collecting teapots.

Impressive.

And they were right, as Denise was eventually unmasked as Fox.

Octopus

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: "Bubbly" and "always on the go", Octopus also hinted that they love a catwalk as well as some "weight training". Always learning, but no apprentice. Had a photo of Jason Donovan in their bag in one VT.

True or false? Discovered on a cruise ship, used an accent coach to prepare for the show, made their first million in the cosmetics industry.

Making a splash with an applaudable rendition of The Little Mermaid's 'Part of Your World' – coincidentally, Davina McCall's favourite song – Octopus dazzled everyone with their vocal abilities.

The judges guessed that Octopus might be a model, due to the catwalk and fitness references, throwing Tyra Banks, Cara Delevingne and Jodie Kidd into the pool of names. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls was also a suggestion.

Off-air, an old tweet of fellow Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts in a mermaid costume resurfaced along with theories around some of the hints.

Jodie Marsh seemed a popular choice for a while, although she has since denied involvement in the show.

Others seem convinced it's Celebrity Big Brother and Drag Race star Courtney Act, who has an impressive singing voice, while there's also a number of people getting behind the idea that Octopus is Lea Michele.

Courtney responded to the rumours, and let's just say that her tweet did little to calm the speculation:

After the most recent episode, the Masked Singer panel named Holly Valance, Kylie Minogue, Tyra Banks (again), Heidi Klum and Holly Willoughby as possible identities.

Viewers at home were considering Katherine Jenkins (whose house is reportedly rented for The Apprentice) and Natalie Imbruglia (who used to appear in Neighbours).

And they were right, as Octopus did turn out to be Katherine!

Tree

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: With more football references than we could wave a linesman's flag at, Tree has "played in front of big crowds before" and has a "goal" to win the competition. They also admitted that they might not be "pitch perfect" but would give it a "shot".

After hearing Tree's debut song 'It Must Be Love' by Madness, one of the Masked Singer judges suggested Peter Crouch, which resulted in this bit of Twitter gold:

Chris Kamara, Alan Shearer and David Beckham were also in the Masked Singer judges' starting line-up.

Perhaps predictably, viewers were quick to go with the same joke:

"The tree is................ Jamie Vardy."

But no-one came close to the actual footy star behind the mask: Manchester United and England legend Teddy Sheringham.

Monster

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

Hints: Monster has a "big personality" and has "feasted on a lot of awards". Was a bookworm as a child, holding a guitar in their VT, loves rock 'n' roll and inspired by glam rock.

True or false? Has an identical twin, had a monster hit with Calvin Harris, is Cee-Lo Green.

Bopping about to Pharrell Williams' 'Happy', Monster had the judging panel throwing all sorts of names around including Cee-Lo Green, Andre 3000, LL Cool J, Elton John and Jamie Foxx. Phew.

Viewers seem quite content with the idea that it could be Cee-Lo Green, but Big Narstie was also a popular suggestion.

Well, viewers were definitely in the right ballpark, as Monster was Cee-Lo Green after all.

The Masked Singer airs on ITV.


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