PREPARE to play the wackiest guessing game on TV again as The Masked Singer returns with its silliest line-up yet.
The fifth series features an air fryer, an owl in school uniform, a yeti with a broken foot, a rat wearing a tool belt, a storm cloud and a cup of bubble tea.
And for the first time, the celebs disguised by the crazy costumes have spoken before the show has aired to provide possible clues to their identity.
They will hope to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Nicola Roberts (AKA Queen Bee), Joss Stone (Sausage), Natalie Imbruglia (Panda) and Charlie Simpson (Rhino).
Host Joel Dommett is back, alongside judges Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Rita Ora. The show won the Entertainment Programme Bafta in May and Joel joked: “Now people really have to take us seriously. We’re a Bafta winner!”
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Here, we reveal what the mystery celebs bringing the 12 new characters to life have to say, while the judges and Joel also give their thoughts . . .
- The new series of The Masked Singer starts on Saturday December 30 at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX and STV.
Air fryer
FEELING the heat, Air Fryer admitted: "Being on The Masked Singer is petrifying and freeing all at the same time.”
Let's hope that, unlike the popular kitchen appliance, they're not full of hot air.
Eiffel Tower
OOH-la-la! Here’s one way of standing head and shoulders above the competition.
The mystery contestant said: “I’m a huge fan of the show. It was a blast.”
Bigfoot
WITH an injured foot, he could toe the line or put his foot in it.
The hairy character said: “Bigfoot just wants to have a good time and for the audience to have a good time.”
Weather
THEY may have a face like thunder but could be bright and breezy.
The mystery celeb said: “The weather is very unpredictable.”
Just don’t end up a washout.
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Owl
HOPING to wing it, Owl said: “I just want to have fun.”
Sounds like a real hoot. Let’s hope they don’t get into a flap on stage.
Dippy Egg
YOU gotta be yolking!
Coming out of their shell, the person behind the fun costume said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Cracking stuff.
Rat
WILL the pressure make Rat squeak?
They admitted: “The Masked Singer gave me the worst nerves I’ve had in my life.”
Whatever happens, they’ll have a tail to tell.
Chicken Caesar
THIS salad’s dressing for success but giving nothing away.
The cheeky clucker said: “I’m Chicken Caesar. It’s great to be here.”
Only time will tell if they leaf victorious.
Piranha
HAS an A-lister with an interest in fishing, such as David Beckham or Harrison Ford, been reeled in for this one?
The fishy star said: “This show is surreal.”
True. But stranger fins have happened.
Bubble Tea
STRAW blimey! Now that’s what you call a balls gown.
The sweet-looking celebrity said: “My favourite thing about becoming Bubble Tea is just being able to be really playful.”
Cricket
HAS a cricketer such as Stuart Broad gone into bat with this costume?
The green critter said: “I like the fun content of The Masked Singer. I could be creative.”
That’s one insect who is as hoppy as Larry.
Maypole
WHEN it comes to hinting at their identity, this one leads a merry dance.
They teased: “Keeping it secret hasn’t been that hard. I’ve decided to hide in plain sight.”
‘Having a kid made me love series even more’
JOEL says: “It’s the best series and definitely my best because my first child arrived this year.
“I’m viewing it all in an entirely different way. That’s what happens when you have children.
“The costumes are the best ever. If they don’t make you smile, well, get out.”
‘My detective skills are better this time round’
RITA says: “The voices are the best I’ve ever heard, and the personalities are so amazing. It’s super versatile. It just gets better.
It’s one of my favourite things to do, I love the panel, I love having this job and I love doing this show. These guys are like family. And I’ve come back with better detective skills.
‘So modern now we’re serving up Bubble Tea’
JONATHAN says: “My best guess this year is Ryan Reynolds. He’s in Wrexham a lot of the time now.
“Bubble Tea and Air Fryer make the show very modern. Those names weren’t in common conversation two or three years ago, now we’ve got them dancing on prime time ITV1.”
‘I’ve done homework to work out who they are’
DAVINA SAYS: “For lots of singers, it’s overcoming a fear. It might be doing something to surprise their kids. It might be just for the hell of it.
“This series Weather is interesting. I’ve been looking through all the celebrity magazines to see who’s around at the moment. I’ve been doing my homework.”
‘It could be someone who I grew up idolising’
MO SAYS: “It’s good to be back.
“You are always second guessing who might be taking part.
“Is it someone I just spoke to recently? Is it someone I’ve grown up watching and idolising?
“Or is it just someone where I’m just going to be gobsmacked and shocked?”
