Viewers of ITV's The Masked Singer are claiming a major victory in the guessing game, asserting they identified the celebrity behind the Arctic Fox costume within mere seconds of its debut performance.
Fans Claim Instant Recognition
The seventh season of the hit ITV show returned on Sunday, January 4, 2026, introducing six new mysterious characters. The Arctic Fox was the first to take to the stage, delivering a performance that, while impressive, seemingly failed to disguise a very familiar voice for many watching at home.
Despite the celebrity's attempt to mask their speaking voice, fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) were swift and unanimous in their verdict. "Arctic Fox is Anton Du Beke," one user declared confidently. This sentiment was echoed across the platform, with another adding, "That's Anton Du Beke!" and a third stating, "Arctic Fox is 100% Anton Du Beke, I'd recognise that voice anywhere!"
A Strictly Legend in Disguise?
The figure named by fans is none other than Anton Du Beke, a cornerstone of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing since its inception. Initially a professional dancer on the show, Du Beke now sits on the judging panel, making him one of the most recognisable faces in British ballroom. His potential appearance on rival channel ITV's flagship entertainment show would mark a significant crossover.
The new series premiere featured a fresh roster of disguised celebrities, with the Arctic Fox joining five other unknown performers. The immediate and strong fan reaction to this particular character has set social media alight and created early buzz for the season's mystery.
What Happens Next?
While the audience's conviction is strong, the true identity of the Arctic Fox will only be officially revealed when the character is voted off or wins the competition. The producers and the celebrity behind the mask are likely banking on more elaborate clues and performances to throw viewers off the scent.
However, the sheer speed and certainty of this fan theory present a formidable first challenge to the show's secrecy. If the speculation proves correct, it would be one of the quickest and most decisive unmaskings in the show's history, achieved by the public before the panel has even fully gathered its thoughts.
As always with The Masked Singer, the only way to know for sure is to keep watching. The guessing game has well and truly begun, and the audience believes they are already one step ahead.
