ITV's hit musical guessing game, The Masked Singer, is poised for a spectacular return with a major twist: the show's first-ever bands. As the seventh series prepares to launch, two new masked characters leading groups have dropped a series of baffling clues about their famous identities.
Cryptic Clues Texted to Judges
Days before the show's comeback, the lead vocalists of the two bands sent tantalising text messages to the panel. Goldfish, who fronts a band called No Trout, posed questions to Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross, hinting at a past at the "top of the tree" and playing on the myth of a goldfish's three-second memory.
Meanwhile, Emperor Penguin, leading The Antarctic Funkeys, sent messages referencing Hollywood hen nights, a "Golden Ticket," and a playful clue about mashing, frying, and roasting. The mathematical puzzle sent to Mo Gilligan has particularly set fans' minds racing.
Series Seven Shake-Up and Unmaskings
The new series, which begins on Saturday, January 3 at 6.30pm on ITV, promises the most unmaskings in the show's history. A source revealed that bosses are "upping the ante" with the clues and the introduction of bands, which may or may not be a direct hint to the celebrities' real-life careers.
Four unmaskings are reportedly scheduled across the first two episodes alone, hosted by Joel Dommett. Goldfish and Emperor Penguin join a 12-strong line-up, all vying to follow in the footsteps of last series' winner, actress and singer Samantha Barks, who triumphed as Pufferfish.
Will The Bands Reveal The Stars?
The big question for viewers is whether the band format is a giant red herring or the key to unlocking the mystery. The celebrities inside could be solo artists, actual band frontmen or women, or stars completely unconnected to the musical group concept.
"Viewers are going to be more bamboozled than ever but it's going to be lots of fun," a show insider told The Sun. The Masked Singer airs on ITV1 and ITVX, with episodes also on Sunday, January 4.
