EastEnders actor Richard Blackwood has played it coy amid swirling speculation linking him to The Masked Singer UK.
While chatting on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (January 21), hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley mentioned Bear, a contestant on the hit ITV singing show, which led to a cagey response from the star.
“He’s a very funny guy. He’s the stand-up soap star, best known for his breakout role in Albert Square, and now Richard Blackwood is returning to his comedic roots for his funniest show, people are saying, to date,” Richard Madeley said to introduce the topic.
Susanna chimed in: “But fans and Jonathan Ross are convinced it’s not his only new gig. Richard is top of the guest list for Bear on the Masked Singer.”
After presenting a snippet of Bear’s latest performance, Richard Blackwood divulged that he’d been bombarded with inquiries about whether he was the one behind the mask, reports the Mirror.
Richard Madeley then probed: “Why do you think everyone thinks it’s you?” eliciting a revealing reply from Richard: “His swagger. The swagger is on point. I’m looking and going, ‘That’s how I would do it.’ You can’t put on a bear outfit and not know that the swagger’s got to be on point because it’s not an everyday outfit. It’s hot in there and stuff, so I’ve heard.”
Susanna didn’t let the remark slide, asking: “How do you know it’s hot in there?” Quickly clarifying his statement, Richard mentioned his two-year stint in Shrek the Musical, which made him well-acquainted with donning a cumbersome costume.
He said, “That’s how I’d do it if I was to do it,” keeping viewers guessing about his possible participation in the show.
The identity of Bear on The Masked Singer has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with a host of celebrity names being suggested.
Richard is just one of many guesses, along with others, including Tom Davis, Ade Edmondson, David Harewood, and singer-songwriter Example.
Bear has already demonstrated a range of vocal talents on the show. His debut performance saw him sing ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two’ from the musical Oliver! He then surprised viewers with a rendition of Will Smith’s 1997 hit ‘Miami’.
Bear will be back on The Masked Singer stage this Saturday (January 25), battling for a spot in the next round of the competition. Other remaining characters include a Bush, Dressed Crab, Kingfisher, Pufferfish, Snail, Teeth, and Wolf.
The Masked Singer UK is available to watch on ITVX