During their debut performance on The Masked Singer on Saturday night, Red Panda may have let slip their true identity. The character had been axed from the first episode of the ITV series earlier this month due to 'potential insensitivities' following the New Year's Eve bar fire tragedy in Switzerland, which claimed 40 lives. Producers edited out the performance, deeming the theme and lyrics potentially insensitive. On Saturday, Red Panda finally took to the stage, and fans immediately shared their theories.
Many viewers were convinced the character is TV star Simon Farnaby, known for Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts. Clues included being 'up to date', a picture of James Bond's Roger Moore, and bonbon sweets in four bowls. There were also hints at working in television and going solo. As the performance ended, some initially guessed Harry Hill, but many switched to Farnaby.
One fan said: 'I can hear Simon Farnaby in red panda.' Another added: 'Doesn't Red Panda sound like the voice Simon Farnaby does in Horrible Histories stuff, like in Stupid Deaths.' A third posted: 'Just me hearing Simon Farnaby for Red Panda?' A further fan noted: 'The singing voice sounds like Simon Farnaby.'
This comes after Yak was revealed as Sex Pistols star John Lydon in the latest unmasking. Lydon surprised fans, with many failing to guess the rock legend. In his exit interview, Lydon said being on the show was 'hardly' a career highlight, adding: 'I hope the fun comes across. I’m the court jester by nature.'
The Masked Singer UK airs Saturdays at 7PM on ITV1 and ITVX.
