The familiar faces of The Masked Singer panel were almost impossible to spot during a special themed episode, as the stars embraced a sports day theme with a series of incredible and hilarious costumes.
Panel Embraces The Theme With Unrecognisable Looks
In a departure from their usual glamorous attire, the show's regular experts threw themselves into the spirit of the episode, which aired on ITV on 9 January 2026. Host Joel Dommett led the way, setting the tone with a striking outfit of his own, while the panelists followed suit with transformative costumes that left viewers doing a double-take.
The panel, consisting of Davina McCall, Maya Jama, Jonathan Ross, Freddie Flintoff, and comedian Mo Gilligan, are typically known for their sharp style as they attempt to guess the celebrities behind the elaborate masks. However, for this episode, they became part of the spectacle themselves.
A Closer Look at the Spectacular Costumes
Davina McCall, 58, channelled the ultimate prize by dressing as a golden trophy. The television personality, a judge on the show for five years, wore a full gold bodysuit. Her hair was styled in two buns to mimic trophy handles, with multi-coloured ribbons draped over her shoulders, showcasing her impressive figure as she fully committed to the character.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Ross, 65, swapped his chat show sofa for the tennis court. He was dressed in pristine white shorts, a sports jacket, and a sweatband, completing the look with a tennis racket in hand.
Maya Jama, 31, took on the role of a gymnast, wearing a black leotard over white leggings. The presenter, known for her fashion sense, embraced the athletic theme with a costume that left little to the imagination.
From the Pitch to the Court
Comedian Mo Gilligan, 37, appeared as a basketball player, donning a full red kit and making sure to carry the essential prop—a basketball itself—to complete the ensemble.
For Freddie Flintoff, 48, the theme was a case of life imitating art. The former England cricket star simply had to reach into his own wardrobe, pulling out his cricketing whites for an outfit that required no acting to look the part.
The sports day special saw the transformed panel doing their best to guess the identities of the singing celebrities, all while sporting their own remarkable new looks. The episode proved that on The Masked Singer, it's not just the performers on stage who can master the art of disguise.
