Fans of ITV's The Masked Singer were left utterly astounded during Saturday's Halloween special, not just by a dramatic reveal, but by the seemingly ageless appearance of the star behind the mask.
The Gargoyle's Grand Unveiling
After a spooky-themed sing-off, the elaborate Gargoyle costume was finally removed to reveal the iconic singer Marcella Detroit, famed as one half of the 1990s pop duo Shakespears Sister. The 73-year-old musician was sent home after losing a performance battle against Sloth, who sang Tommy Steele's 'Flash Bang Wallop' while Gargoyle performed Joan Jett's 'Bad Reputation'.
The panel of judges, who had guessed names like Cyndi Lauper and Fiona Bruce, were completely wrong-footed by the reveal. Viewers took to social media in disbelief, with many expressing shock at both her identity and her remarkably youthful look.
A 'Radiant' Complexion Sparks Fan Frenzy
The surprise was compounded for fans who had recently seen Marcella's fresh-faced complexion on her Instagram. In a post showcasing new skincare products, she wrote: 'Sometimes a girl just has to try new skincare products!! Clinique??!! No way.'
The photo prompted an avalanche of praise and disbelief from followers, who struggled to reconcile her appearance with her age. Comments included:
- 'Gosh I wish I had skin like yours!'
- 'You are radiant.'
- 'Google says you are 73... surely that's wrong? Looking at this picture, it has to be wrong!?!?!?'
This online reaction foreshadowed the collective astonishment that would follow her television unmasking just days later.
A Perfect Opportunity
Speaking after her elimination, Marcella expressed sadness at leaving the competition but joy at the overall experience. 'I'm really sad to go. It's been an incredible experience,' she said. 'Everyone has been so nice and so much fun.'
She also revealed that taking part in the UK-based show aligned perfectly with personal plans. 'My husband is British and we have wanted to come back to England for quite some time,' Marcella explained, noting that the offer arrived just as they were planning a move from America. 'The universe just put it in our laps, we were like "oh my god, this is so perfect".'
While her time as Gargoyle has ended, Marcella Detroit's show-stopping reveal has undoubtedly become one of the most memorable moments of the series, leaving audiences in awe of her timeless talent and vitality.
