In a dramatic, last-minute decision, producers of ITV's hit show The Masked Singer were forced to edit out a celebrity's entire performance from the launch episode aired on Saturday night. The pre-recorded show underwent significant changes just hours before broadcast, with the segment featuring the mystery contestant Red Panda being completely removed.
Why Was Red Panda Removed?
The decision was made as a direct response to the tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which broke out in the early hours of New Year's Day. The incident, which occurred around 1:30am on January 1, 2026, claimed multiple lives, with many of the victims reported to be young adults celebrating the festive period.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed the edit, stating: "In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda's performance on The Masked Singer in tonight's programme owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song." The broadcaster assured viewers that Red Panda would perform in the coming weeks.
Viewer Confusion Over Schedule Shifts
The edit contributed to a slight schedule change on ITV that left some viewers puzzled. The channel announced on social media that the episode would air at 6:40pm instead of the originally slated 6:30pm.
This prompted a mix of concern and humour from the audience on social media. One viewer questioned if there had been a power outage, while another joked, "It's on later as somebody had to go home as they forgot their mask." Others were simply relieved not to miss the start of the highly anticipated new series.
A New Series with a Fresh Twist
Despite the late edit, the new series of The Masked Singer launched with its usual array of bizarre costumes, including Moth, Can of Worms, and Disc Jockey. The judging panel of Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan returned to guess the identities of the singing celebrities.
This series introduces a new format twist: for the first time, the opening episodes will feature entire musical groups. The panel must identify the lead singer among them. The action kicked off with Goldfish, accompanied by their group 'No Trout'.
Presenter Joel Dommett expressed excitement about the new group element, revealing it brought immense energy to the studio. He also teased that the first two unmaskings of the series are "pretty substantial." The series will feature 12 other masked performers for the judges and public to decipher in the weeks ahead.
