Secrets of The Masked Singer revealed – from bizarre banned items to how studio audience DON’T see reveals
THE Masked Singer is notorious for keeping the identities of the celebs behind the elaborate costumes a closely guarded secret – but there are many other things kept hidden from viewers that they might not even realise.
Whistleblowers from the show have told The Sun about the many different backstage secrets from the programme from sewing ice packs into costumes to hidden lyrics inside of their masks.
The ITV contest harbours all sorts of secrets about the making of the show and its host Joel Dommett, as well as the panel of guessers – Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross and Maya Jama.
One show whistleblower told us exclusively about the biggest secrets backstage on the contest:
- Almost the entire audience are shipped out of the studio when the celebrities are revealed during the pre-records of the show. It’s a bid to minimise the chance for the celebrity names of the celebs to leak.
- Only about five per cent of the audience are left in the studio for the reveal so they can stand in front of the panel of guessers and make it look like the studio is still filled.
- They have to sign non-disclosure agreements too, which forbid them from putting any spoilers on social media before the programme airs.
- Before the stars have their masks removed for the cameras, they have to actually take it off a minute or two earlier so they can have their hair and make-up touched up and ensure they’re looking their best.
- Phones are confiscated at the start of the recording so no videos or pictures can be made during filming – they’re actually locked up in pouches which are then unlocked by security at the end.
- Cute characters always do the best in the audience votes because they play up to the kids who are watching in the studio and invariably win them over.
- Joel’s introductions to the panel are now the stuff of legend as they’re filled with puns that delight and bemuse, but he actually films several versions and producers pick which gags get the best response.
- The panel remain at their desk throughout filming, but do ask the audience for clues. They also keep snacks under their desk but get told off by producers for eating them.
- Sweets are banned from being eaten among the audience members because there are so many of them that the combined sound of their chewing would be picked up by the microphones.
- The singers sound much better in the studio than they do when we hear them on the TV show. It’s mainly because the cheers and clapping from the audience blurs the sound.
- Celebrities can’t even wear crocs or sandals because that might reveal a tiny segment of their skin – they must remain completely covered at all times. Even when they arrive they have to be obscured by hoodies, balaclavas or even visors.
- The costumes can be so restrictive that the celebrities inside them can only be in them for a certain amount of time before they have to have a break and come out of their disguises backstage.
- Some stars have been known to have the lyrics to the songs they perform hidden in their masks to help them remember the words.
- Many of the celebrity costumes have been so hot inside they have to have ice packs sewn into them to keep them cool.
Amid these revelations, one big secret that not even the production team could prepare for was the arrival of WILD CATS in the studio.
The ITV show was plagued by a pack of wildcats who invaded the studio during filming of the current series.
Crew frantically tried to get the felines out of the backstage area after they came inside to get warm under the lights.
The unexpected occupation happened at Bovingdon Studios, Herts, where they make the show which continues tomorrow on ITV1.
A TV insider said: “Although they’re used to seeing all sorts of creatures on the stage, the last thing they expected were wildcats to make an appearance.
“Initially it was quite fascinating and amusing but then there was the realisation that they could wander on stage while the cameras were rolling and disrupt filming.
“Plus they are wild animals after all and shouldn’t be running about the place, so they were enticed out of the building as quickly as possible.”
It’s the latest revelation to come out of the guessing game show after The Sun exclusively revealed that one of the celebrity contestants on tomorrow’s show, threw a strop about being unmasked.
The Masked Singer continues tomorrow on ITV1 and ITVX at 7pm.
The Masked Singer Judges and Host
The Masked Singer has been a smash-hit for ITV since launching in 2020. Here's a look at the show's familiar on air team.
Judges
Current:
- Jonathan Ross: Presenter and film critic Jonathan has been part of The Masked Singer since its first series.
- Davina McCall: Long Lost Family co-host Davina is also one of the show’s original panellists.
- Mo Gilligan: Comedian and presenter Mo joined in series two, replacing US star Ken Jeong.
- Maya Jama: Love Island presenter Maya is set to join in series six, replacing Rita Ora.
Former:
- Rita Ora: Singer and actress Rita appeared as a judge for the first five series. Her departure from the show was confirmed in September 2024.
Host
Joel Dommett: Joel has presented every series of The Masked Singer so far.