HOST Joel Dommett is entrusted with revealing each of the celebrities on tonight’s final of The Masked Singer.
But he has confessed that even when the mask came off in previous series he wasn’t always sure who’s who.
Joel explained: “The problem is that when it comes to reveals, I don’t know everyone in the world.
“In the first series there was Pharaoh, this Egyptian guy. And it was like, ‘Take it off, take it off, take it off,’ and the producer says in my ear, ‘It’s Alan Johnson’.
"So I say, ‘Oh my god, it’s Alan Johnson!’
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“But inside I’m like, ‘Who the f*** is Alan Johnson. He just looked like a friend of my dad’s.”
Former Home Secretary Alan, now 72, was the second contestant to be voted off the ITV smash hit show in 2020.
But he’s not the only celebrity Joel has struggled to recall.
The comic went on: “Another year there was a guy called Morten Harket, he’s quite a famous person apparently, he was the lead singer of A-ha.
"But I’m not a 55-year-old woman so I don’t know that the lead singer of A-ha is Morten Harket.
“The problem is I’ve got to remember their name because I have to say it again at the end. And I gave one of the worst interviews I’ve ever given because all I could think was, ‘It’s not Morgan Freeman’.”
Comic Lee Mack joins the panel tonight as Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan try to guess the indentities of finalists Fawn, Phoenix and Rhino.
Joel has become one of the most sought-after presenters since shooting to fame on I’m A Celeb in 2016.
Elsewhere, he hosted this year’s National Television Awards and has this week been poached by the BBC to front its reboot of Survivor.
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But he has vivid memories of starting out in comedy.
Joel said: “I didn’t get paid for like four and a half years.
"I was just doing it in dives, groggy disgusting bars, strip clubs.
“I once did a gig, there were two people there and then halfway through one of them left so it just became me talking to a person. There’s a fine line between a conversation and a gig!”
Joel is used to much bigger audiences these days, but still has the odd humbling moment.
He added: “At the NTAs at the O2 Arena, it’s like Michael McIntyre, Ricky Gervais.
“The next night, I hosted the Refrigerator Awards at Telford.
“I was like, ‘The winner of the best refrigerator over one cubic metre is . . .’ and people were well excited! I love doing it.
“During Covid times companies started asking me to do versions of The Masked Singer over Zoom.
“At the end of it it was like ‘Take it off, take it off’ and then I’m like, ‘It’s Ann from accounts!’”
Fawn
ODDS:
- Natalie Appleton – 2/1
- Louise Redknapp – 6/1
- Alesha Dixon – 4/1
- Rita’s pick: Jennifer Hudson – 25/1
SONGS:
- Into the Groove by Madonna Ironic by Alanis Morissette
- Tomorrow by Annie.
CLUES: Fawn mentioned the words “black coffee” and “sandy.”
“I live in a cottage and not in a palace, I’ve visited Wonderland but my name isn’t Alice.”
She wasn’t the youngest contestant and asked for “no milk, five sugars” in her tea.
“Call me a boffin but maths was a passion, though my brain helped me to win later in life.”
“Now I’m all grown up I’m not awkward at all.”
Phoenix
ODDS:
- Ricky Wilson – 4/6
- John Barrowman – 4/1
- Michael Ball – 8/1
- Davina’s pick: David Tennant – 10/1
SONGS:
- Get Lucky by Daft Punk
- Loco in Acapulco by Four Tops
- Grace Kelly by Mika
CLUES: They are good at reinventing themselves, as they have been “reincarnated” and “born anew”.
They were quiet as a child.
“I’m all flame and fire, my feathers ablaze, it may intrigue you to learn, I’ve been a catchphrase.”
Made references to time travel as well as reality shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing On Ice and The Apprentice.
Rhino
ODDS:
- Charlie Simpson – 1/3
- James Arthur – 4/1
- Lewis Capaldi – 25/1
- Mo’s pick: Robbie Williams – 33/1
SONGS:
- Try by P!nk
- Into You by Ariana Grande
- Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon
CLUES: There was a sign saying: “HOME 19,9900KM” in the VT.
“I’m chief of this town, and happy go-lucky. But one of you guys might think I’m quite muggy.”
Rhino has “the natural gift of strength” that has allowed him to “break through.”
Showed off props including the Statue Of Liberty with an apple.
Called himself an “authority in these parts” as he walked into a town called Cobalt.