Devoted fans of ITV's popular guessing game The Masked Singer are buzzing with a compelling new theory, firmly believing they have finally unmasked the celebrity behind the vibrant Red Panda costume. After meticulously analysing a string of clues presented on the show and its social media, a significant portion of the audience now points to legendary pop icon Simon Le Bon, the charismatic lead singer of the iconic band Duran Duran.
The Judges' Guess Sparks Fan Investigation
The speculation gained serious traction following a suggestion from one of the show's resident detectives. During a recent episode, judge Jonathan Ross floated the idea that the performer might be the Duran Duran star. This off-the-cuff remark ignited a firestorm of online detective work, with viewers rushing to forums and social media to cross-reference the clues with Le Bon's illustrious career.
Decoding the Clues: A Duran Duran Deep Dive
Fans have constructed a detailed case linking the Red Panda's hints to Simon Le Bon's history. One keen-eyed viewer outlined their reasoning on a popular discussion platform, breaking down the evidence piece by piece.
- The Four Bon Bons: A clue featuring four bowls of bon bon sweets is seen as a direct nod to the four original members of Duran Duran.
- Roger Moore & James Bond: The mention of actor Roger Moore references the fact that Duran Duran performed the theme song, A View to a Kill, for the James Bond film of the same name.
- Hero References & 'Hungry Like the Wolf': Clues mentioning "heroes" are linked to the band's hit song Hungry Like the Wolf, which was featured on a compilation album titled Modern Heroes.
- Rio Street Links: References to Rio connect seamlessly to Duran Duran's massively successful 1982 album, Rio.
- Baby Dummies: Some theorists propose that a clue showing baby dummies could be a clever reference to the Duran Duran B-side track, Cry Baby Cry.
"We all know how tenuous the clues can be," admitted one viewer in the online discussion, "but the howl in the performance felt like a Hungry Like the Wolf reference too." Another fan added a personal theory, noting, "Simon Le Bon recently became a grandfather, which might explain the dummy imagery."
Doubts and Deliberate Misdirection?
Despite the compelling connections, not all fans are fully convinced. Some long-time Duran Duran enthusiasts, known as 'Duranies', have expressed reservations. One commented, "A lot of the clues do point to Simon Le Bon… except there have been ones that, in my opinion, sound like it couldn’t be him, like the clue about working solo as well as in a team. Did Simon ever do any notable solo work?"
This has led to an alternative school of thought among the show's sleuths. Another viewer speculated about the possibility of deliberate misdirection, suggesting, "If it is him, he could be singing badly on purpose to disguise his distinctive voice. However, the clues seem way too obvious. Because they are such blatant Duran Duran references, part of me wonders if it's someone connected to the band in another way, and they are making us think it's Simon to throw us off the scent of the real celebrity."
While judges Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama have offered their own varied guesses, the Jonathan Ross-inspired Simon Le Bon theory has undoubtedly captured the public's imagination. The colourful Red Panda has successfully kept its secret, but the audience's detective work continues unabated as they await the big reveal. The Masked Singer continues to air on ITV, serving up more musical mystery and costume-clad conjecture each week.
