BBC favourite Helen Skelton has made it abundantly clear that viewers will not see her competing on the popular ITV show The Masked Singer anytime soon, following what she describes as a deeply uncomfortable past experience with singing on television.
A Firm Rejection on The One Show
During an appearance on BBC's The One Show on Monday, 5th January 2026, presenters Angellica Bell and Lauren Laverne playfully suggested the Morning Live host could be a mystery contestant on the singing competition. The conversation occurred as they discussed the recent unmasking of fellow BBC presenter Alex Jones as the 'Disc Jockey' on the programme.
Angellica Bell proposed the idea directly, asking Skelton if she could see herself taking part. The 42-year-old broadcaster's response was immediate and definitive. She emphatically said 'no', swiftly dismissing any notion of participating.
The Reason Behind the Refusal
Helen Skelton then explained her firm stance, revealing a past incident that left a lasting mark. "I once sang, many moons ago," she confessed. "When it went out on TV, I had such a physical reaction, I hid under the desk. It was so bad, never again!"
This stark admission highlights the presenter's aversion to public singing, despite having showcased her performance skills successfully in other arenas, notably as a runner-up in the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Alex Jones's Contrasting Experience
The segment on The One Show also featured a video call with Alex Jones, who was broadcasting from New Zealand following her revelation as a contestant on The Masked Singer. Jones spoke enthusiastically about her time on the ITV show, describing the unique challenge of its strict secrecy.
"You've got no idea, so you're a little bit in the dark. I had nothing to compare it to at all," Jones remarked, explaining that the weekend's show was the first time she had heard her fellow competitors perform. "It was really fun to watch the show all stitched together, that was great."
Despite her own children being avid fans of the programme, Jones revealed they failed to recognise her behind the elaborate Disc Jockey costume. She praised the experience as "such a joyous show to do" and a rare chance to learn "how to sing... vaguely!"
While Skelton was on the show primarily to discuss her upcoming series Lost and Found in the Lakes, her candid revelation about her singing phobia has captured significant public attention. It firmly closes the door on speculation about her appearing on one of television's most talked-about entertainment formats.
