The Masked Singer UK crowned its latest champion on Saturday night as Wolf, Dressed Crab and Pufferfish gave it their all in the grand finale.
As the nation watched with bated breath, the identity of each costumed contestant was revealed. Earlier in the evening, Wolf’s unmasking showed fans it was Marti Pellow, leaving Pufferfish and Dressed Crab.
After weeks of fan theories and online chatter, the audience discovered that award-winner Gregory Porter was behind the Dressed Crab mask, finishing in second place. The title of this year’s Masked Singer went to Pufferfish, who turned out to be West End star Samantha Barks, correctly guessed by some members of the panel.
Overwhelmed by her victory, she chatted with host Joel Dommett about her exhilarating journey on the show. She expressed her excitement, commenting: “For me, because I’ve played Elsa (on the West End) for three years, it’s been so fun to just do lots of different stuff!
“Every week, I’ve wanted to do a new kind of style, a new kind of song, and that was really fun. Also, I feel like I’ve lived this double life, I’ve had this crazy experience but nobody in my life knows this! So I love it! It’s so secretive.”
She wrapped up her reaction with heartfelt thanks, noting her perpetual smile beneath the mask.
Gregory was also full of praise when discussing their experience on the show. After being unmasked, he told Joel: “This is amazing, this is wild.I’m not going to lie. I had to get over a little bit of claustrophobia, you know, who needs oxygen? Who needs oxygen?!”
The singer then went on to explain some of the clues that were given throughout the competition and expressed his enjoyment of the experience.
He continued: “This is extraordinary, this is a real moment for me. It’s fun, sometimes I’m singing all those serious songs but this was fun, this was just real fun!”
Over the course of the competition, viewers have seen a host of familiar faces revealed.
Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway was one of the early reveals, as she was unmasked as Spag Bol. Bake Off judge Prue Leith was unveiled as Pegasus, while Macy Gray was Toad in the Hole.
T’Pau singer Carol Decker was Tattoo, Mel Giedroyc was Teeth, Snail was Andrea Corr and Kingfisher was artist Sir Grayson Perry.
In a double elimination last week, fans saw Example behind Bear, with EastEnders star Natalia Cassidy revealed as Bush.
The Masked Singer can be viewed on ITVX.