Masked Singer 2026 vows to ‘make history’ with first look at wacky new series

After the hilariously bonkers Christmas special of The Masked Singer UK, we’ve got our first look at the equally mad new series hosted by Joel Dommett.

Of course, that means there will be plenty more weird and wacky characters for viewers to feast their eyes on and for the celebrity judges to ponder over.

There’s also a change that promises to be a ‘first’ in Masked Singer history and ‘more unmaskings than ever’.

In a new turn of events, the two episodes airing next weekend, The Masked Singer Band will be headlining the shows, leaving the panel of detectives to guess the lead singer along with six other masked characters.

Performing first will be Goldfish in their band No Trout, who will take to the stage on Saturday, followed by Emperor Penguin as part of the Antarctic Funkeys on Sunday.

Host Joel said about the band: ‘It just gives so much energy in the room.’

Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Maya Jama, who make up the panel, will be left scratching their heads, but they won’t have to wait too long as there’ll be four unmaskings on the double-billed weekend.

Talking about the first two, Joel revealed they’re ‘pretty substantial’.

Previous winners have included Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts as Queen Bee in 2020, singer Natalie Imbruglia as Panda in 2022 and McFly’s Danny Jones as Piranha in 2024.

Of course, it wouldn’t be The Masked Singer without a whole load of out-of-the-box costumes hiding the identities of some of the nation’s favourite famous faces.

It might sound crackers, but there’s a character called Conkers. ‘They came, they saw, they Conker-ed,’ the programme declared. Joining this autumnal offering are Moth, Red Panda, and Arctic Fox.

Could Moth be somebody who became attracted to the light, like talent show contestants Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle or X Factor winner Alexandra Burke?

We know singers like Gregory Porter, Dionne Warwick, and Joss Stone have been on the show in the past.

Joining them will be Can of Worms – a nod to an iconic I’m A Celebrity campmate, perhaps? Maya said its her favourite masked performance from any series, and that while rapping they ‘don’t miss a beat’.

Adding more characters to the mix, the upcoming series will see Monkey Business, Yak, and Sloth perform alongside Gargoyle, Toastie, Disc Jockey, and Teabag.

Are radio stars like Greg James and Jordan North too obvious to be those hiding under a Disc Jockey outfit? Other presenters like Lorraine Kelly and Prue Leith have been revealed on the show previously.

And what about Gargoyle – could they be a model who is used to holding poses for long periods?

Whatever the lineup holds, with the extra unmaskings, Jonathan assured viewers: ‘You’re going to have a lot more fun playing at home.’

The Masked Singer starts on Saturday, 3 and Sunday, 4 January, at 6.30pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.

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