The Masked Singer US judges in tears at show's 'greatest ever' reveal

Watch: The Masked Singer unmasks Mary Poppins legend

The Masked Singer US judges were in tears as screen legend Dick Van Dyke was revealed as a contestant on the show.

The 97-year-old Mary Poppins star had been performing as Gnome on the American version of the show, and sent the panel wild when he was unmasked.

Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger was in tears as she told Van Dyke it was "an honour" to have him on the programme.

Read more: Dick Van Dyke says he PAID Walt Disney 4,000 dollars to play banker in Mary Poppins

"I love you so much, we love you, the whole world loves you so much," she said, telling the screen legend he looked "gorgeous".

Her fellow judges Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy were also blown away.

And Jeong said it was the show's "greatest reveal ever".

During his time on the competition, Van Dyke sang songs like Frank Sinatra's When You're Smiling and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins.

But viewers were pretty stumped by who was inside his huge costume.

Talking about people crying when his identity was revealed, he joked that maybe some had thought he had died.

"I don't think they expected anybody from my generation to be on that show," the actor told Entertainment Weekly.

"So I knew I was gonna fool them. They were so surprised. I stepped out and everybody's mouths dropped open."

"I think some people thought I was dead," he added.

Fans also loved that Van Dyke was on the show.

"This is great to see, Dick Van Dyke is such a legend!" one person tweeted.

Another said: "He is a total super star in my eyes. Have loved him from being a kid seeing #MaryPoppins.

Read more: Kimberly Wyatt defends Pussycat Dolls costumes

"Dick Van Dyke - thank you for the joy you bring!"

Watch: Richie Sambora felt like James Bond hiding his identity on The Masked Singer UK