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Masked Singer's Nicola Roberts couldn't breathe in her Queen Bee costume

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

From Digital Spy

The Masked Singer's Nicola Roberts has discussed her experience on the show, two days after winning the first series as Queen Bee.

On Saturday evening (February 15), Queen Bee triumphed over Hedgehog (Jason Manford) and Octopus (Katherine Jenkins). However, while she wowed the judges and public alike with her amazing performances each week, Nicola admitted that she initially struggled during the first rehearsals.

Speaking on Monday's (February 17) episode of This Morning, the singer explained how the costume had to be modified after she found it difficult to breathe.

Photo credit: ITV
Photo credit: ITV

"You're very much breathing in your own air," Nicola said, talking about the mask.

"The first dress rehearsal, the first time I sang the Sia song ('Alive') and I had the mask on, I'm not going to lie, I did have a wobbler," she recalled.

"I kind of got halfway through the song and I just was, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't get the notes out. And it's a Sia song and her voice is massive.

"I just walked off, and I could hear them go, 'Queen Bee has left the stage! Queen Bee has left the stage!'. I said, 'Guys, this is impossible. I cannot actually get any air into singing'.

Photo credit: Bandicoot TV - ITV
Photo credit: Bandicoot TV - ITV

"We cut the balaclava out, then they took the roll-neck off. They took the gloves off. And it made it a little better, but it was hard."

Nicola continued: "It was September, so it was still relatively warm outside. Then with the lights and the audience and then when you're nervous... you feel like you're a ball of fire inside!"

The singer said she had an "amazing" time doing the show, and loved having the opportunity to "sing all my favourite songs".

And talking about the mini-Girls Aloud reunion with Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl Tweedy for the final (both of whom had already worked out Queen Bee's identity), Nicola explained it was all Kimberley's idea.

Photo credit: Shane Cooper - Instagram
Photo credit: Shane Cooper - Instagram

Related: The Masked Singer triumphs with ratings following first final

"I never admitted it was me, but they knew it was me because of the voice," she said. "And [Kimberley] was like, 'You can't just sit in by yourself on Saturday and watch the final!'."

Yesterday, Kimberley praised Nicola on Instagram and said that she "was bursting with pride" watching her friend every week.

Digital Spy readers correctly guessed Queen Bee's identity, with 79% believing Nicola was behind the mask before the final.

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.


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