Fans of ITV's hit show The Masked Singer were left scratching their heads after the broadcaster announced a sudden, last-minute change to the programme's air time.
What Was The Last-Minute Change?
In a social media post on Saturday, January 3, ITV revealed that the eagerly awaited new series would now begin at 6:40pm, instead of the originally advertised 6:30pm start. The brief announcement prompted immediate reaction from viewers tuning in for the weekend entertainment.
Some expressed concern over the reason for the shift. One fan questioned on social media if there had been "a power outage at Television Centre or something," while another pointed out other adjustments, noting there had been an "extended news at 4pm."
Fan Reaction and Humorous Takes
Others chose to see the funny side of the minor delay. One viewer joked, "It's on later as somebody had to go home as they forgot their mask." Another simply appreciated the heads-up, commenting, "Thank you. I thought I was going to miss the first 10 mins."
The beloved series, which sees celebrities perform in elaborate disguises while a panel tries to guess their identities, returned for a brand new run on Saturday, January 3. The judging panel, featuring Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan, was back in action.
A New Format For The New Series
This series introduces a fresh twist: for the first time, the opening two episodes will feature entire musical groups. The panel's challenge is not only to identify the group but also to pinpoint the lead singer among them.
The action kicked off with Goldfish, accompanied by their group No Trout. They were followed in the second episode by Emperor Penguin and the Antarctic Funkeys.
Host Joel Dommett discussed the new group format, saying, "We've never done it before and it just gives it so much energy in the room. Also the lead singer of the band is someone we have to guess." He added that the first two unmaskings were "pretty substantial" and praised the show's enduring appeal.
Throughout the series, the judges will also attempt to identify 12 other masked performers. This year's quirky line-up of characters includes Moth, Can of Worms, Red Panda, Conkers, Arctic Fox, Toastie, Monkey Business, Yak, Sloth, Gargoyle, Disc Jockey, and Teabag.
The show's sixth winner was crowned last year, when West End star Samantha Barks was revealed as the voice behind the Pufferfish costume.
The Masked Singer aired on ITV1 and ITVX at 6.40pm on Saturday, January 3, following its brief schedule adjustment.
