The mystery of The Masked Singer's latest series has begun, with the enigmatic Moth instantly sparking a social media storm as fans raced to guess the celebrity behind the elaborate costume.
Moth Takes Flight with Mariah Carey Classic
The ITV singing competition made its grand return on Saturday 3rd January 2026, with judges Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, and Mo Gilligan back on the panel. The first episode saw Moth deliver a powerful rendition of Mariah Carey's 'Hero', captivating the audience and panel alike.
Before the performance, a clue video (VT) offered some cryptic hints. Moth spoke of needing "grace, power and presence," mentioned having "served in the west" before returning home to "light candles," and philosophised that "what goes up must come down."
Social Media Erupts with Celebrity Theories
Viewers at home were quick to voice their predictions online. A prominent theory suggested the voice belonged to Keisha Buchanan, a founding member of the iconic 90s girl group the Sugababes.
"Moth is Keisha Buchanan from Sugababes, surely!?" one fan exclaimed on social media, with another agreeing, "Moth sounds like Keisha Buchanan." However, a strong counter-theory pointed towards Kym Marsh, who first found fame in the pop band Hear'Say before her long-running role as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street.
The judges had their own diverse guesses. Jonathan Ross theorised it could be Jessie J, while Davina McCall ventured it might be 80s film star Molly Ringwald. Maya Jama guessed former X Factor winner and West End star Alexandra Burke, and Mo Gilligan suggested the unique vocals of Paloma Faith.
A New Series with a Fresh Format
This seventh series introduces a new twist: the first two episodes feature a full live band, with the panel also tasked with guessing the identity of the band's lead singer. The lineup of characters for this series includes Moth, Can of Worms, Red Panda, Conkers, Arctic Fox, Toastie, Monkey Business, Yak, Sloth, Gargoyle, Disc Jockey, and Teabag.
Host Joel Dommett praised the new energy the band brought, stating, "We've never done it before and it just gives it so much energy in the room." He also teased that the first two unmaskings are "pretty substantial."
Jonathan Ross confirmed the series is action-packed, saying, "It has more unmaskings than ever before... We can barely keep up." Davina McCall added that the show feels "fresh" with new ideas that keep the panel on their toes.
The Masked Singer continues on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 4th January at 6.30pm, with fans eagerly awaiting more clues and the eventual reveal of Moth's true identity.
