Davina McCall left The Masked Singer fans completely shocked when she was unmasked as a star in the special Christmas episode on Thursday after undergoing brain surgery.
The presenter, 57, who has appeared as a judge on six series of the hit show, clearly learned a few tricks when she was voted second after performing two festive tunes, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and This Christmas.
Davina looked in amazing spirits as she returned to TV after undergoing surgery to remove a rare benign tumor on her brain.
Regular panelists Jonathon Ross, 64, and Mo Gilligan, 36, were stunned when they were joined by guest judges Jennifer Saunders, 66, and Dawn French, 67.
Jonathan said, “No way, we thought you couldn’t sing that well.” I’m glad you’re okay, but to me you’re dead now.
Joel added: ‘I said you had diarrhea and couldn’t be here.’
Davina McCall left The Masked Singer fans completely shocked when she was unmasked as a star in the special Christmas episode on Thursday after undergoing brain surgery.
Davina looked in incredible spirits as she returned to TV after undergoing surgery to remove a rare benign tumor on her brain.
The presenter, 57, who has appeared as a judge on six series of the hit show, clearly learned a few tricks when she was voted second after performing two festive tunes, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and This Christmas.
Davina replied: ‘I thought you could get me the one on the DVD. It was a dance, thank you!’
The presenter put on an incredible performance before jumping around the stage with joy in her incredible costume.
She later donned a bright red dress when she appeared on the panel for winner Holly Johnson’s final performance, dressed as the Nutcracker.
Davina later gushed that the show was “one of the best experiences of my life” and explained how she had “so much fun” being the other side of the show.
She said: “I learned a lot and now massively, even more than I already did, I respect the people who participate in the series because it’s eight shows, it’s a lot of songs to learn.”
‘Firstly, I kept a secret from my children all summer, twice Holly and Chester asked me why I sang Christmas songs.
‘Also from the panel, Maya (Jama) asked me if I could sing and I said, ‘absolutely not, I would never do this show.’ Harriet Rose asked me while we were filming The Aftermask, our spin-off show, if I would ever do the show and I said no. The trick has been quite fun because in my head I thought that one day you will all see it.
Explaining how she got away with the big secret, Davina said it was the “craziest stunt” she’s ever pulled.
Regular panelist Jonathon Ross, 64, said: “There’s absolutely no way, we thought you couldn’t sing that well.” I’m glad you’re okay, but to me you’re dead now.
Davina gushed that the show was “one of the best experiences of my life” and explained how she had “so much fun” being the other side of the show.
Presenter Joel added: ‘I didn’t know it was Davina at all. She lied right to my face. She texted me and told me she had severe diarrhea, but she didn’t, she was actually in disguise. Livid! I’ll never trust her again!’
She later donned a bright red dress when she appeared on the panel for the final performance.
She continued: ‘I texted the bosses at eight o’clock, who were obviously involved, but I had to text them and tell them I had to miss the recording of the Christmas special. They had to text the entire production team and tell them.
“I know this is all happening in the building next door, but there I am sitting in a ‘Please Don’t Talk to Me’ T-shirt and a ski mask. It was just the craziest stunt I’ve ever pulled.
‘I didn’t expect to enjoy the whole process of singing as much as I did. I have booked a singing lesson for after the show is taped and I will continue singing. Just for me, not to sing anywhere or do anything, but just because I loved it!’
Davina explained why she decided to participate, saying, “I got the text from the executive producer and it came while I was looking at my phone, so I literally read the first three words and typed yes!”
“It’s one of those bucket list things where you think I’ll never be able to do it because I’m on the panel. That’s what made it so fun and I thought I couldn’t turn it down. This is too good an opportunity to miss.
Presenter Joel added: ‘It was so exciting! I didn’t know it was Davina at all. She lied right to my face. She texted me and told me she had severe diarrhea, but she didn’t, she was actually in disguise. Livid! I’ll never trust her again!’
Fans quickly rushed to X to share that they were also surprised by Davina’s appearance on the show.
‘Davina McCall is a superstar, right! He has a beautiful singing voice that I didn’t know!; Davina McCall can sing so well, oh my god?!; Davina McCall is a star! No wayyyy!’
comes later Davina has been very candid about her health issue and recently gave an emotional update in an Instagram video, while urging others to get private health checks if they can afford it.
Fans quickly rushed to X to share that they were also surprised by Davina’s appearance on the show.
Holly Johnson dressed as the Nutcracker and won the Christmas special
Elsewhere on The Masked Singer, Josie Gibson admitted she was completely “out of her comfort zone” as she was the first celebrity like Cracker to be unmasked on the hit ITV show.
Elsewhere, Türkiye was revealed to be Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse as she sang Wonderful Christmastime.
For the special, Jennifer Saunders, 66, and Dawn French, 67, joined the celebrity panel.
The presenter of My Mom, Your Dad was diagnosed with a tumor at a private clinic after being offered a medical check-up after participating in a talk about menopause.
Elsewhere on The Masked Singer, Josie Gibson admitted she was completely “out of her comfort zone” as she was the first celebrity like Cracker to be unmasked on the hit ITV show.
Judge Jonathan admitted: “I wouldn’t have imagined it!”
The This Morning presenter, who sang The Ronettes’ Sleigh Ride, said: “I’m way out of my comfort zone.” The cooking reference is from when he cooked with the stars.
“I really got out of my comfort zone and had to give it my all. I can’t believe no one thought I was Adele.
Fans were left in “total shock” when Josie was the first celebrity to be unmasked, as they admitted they “would never have guessed her”.
‘Josie would never have guessed; Cracker was Josie Gibson! I couldn’t have guessed it at all; Oh wow!! I didn’t expect that; To be honest, I would never have guessed Josie Gibson;
‘Total surprise with Josie!; Oh my god, JOSIE GIBSON. I’m absolutely howling. Yeah, I’m not even close to my guess.
Elsewhere, Türkiye was revealed to be Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse as she sang Wonderful Christmastime.
And crowned Christmas 2024 winner was Holly Johnson as the Nutcracker, who admitted she “can’t believe” she took part in the show.
Host Joel Dommett will return to the series in 2025, while Rita Ora will be replaced by Maya Jama.
This will mark Maya’s first role on a primetime ITV1 show, following her huge success as presenter of Love Island.
Speaking about joining the show, Maya said: “I’m a huge Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan and Mo, and of course working with Joel, will be so much fun!
“I can’t wait to find out who is under all those incredible costumes, rock out to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings.
‘I’ve watched the show for a long time, so I’ll definitely bring my A-game to the panel!’
In the new series Maya Jama will replace Rita Ora in The Masked Singer
Rita has been a judge on the Hidden Identity celebrity singing competition since 2020, but quit after five series.
A source also told The Sun: “This is big business for Maya, who is now one of TV’s fastest rising stars.”
“It puts her in front of a huge audience on Saturday nights every week in a show watched by everyone from children to retirees.
“She’s had a very young following so far because of Love Island, but signing for The Masked Singer would take her career to a whole new league.”
Line of Duty star Vicky McClure will become the series’ new guest judge, alongside regulars Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall.
Last year’s season saw McFly’s Danny Jones, who had been behind the Piranha costume, win the show.
Runners-up were The Last Leg co-host Alex Brooker (as Bigfoot) and singer Lemar (as Cricket).
Previous winners of the show include Busted’s Charlie Simpson, Torn singer Natalie Imbruglia, Grammy-winning artist Joss Stone and Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts.
With over 37 million viewers since its launch in 2020, the show remains a must-see.
As of this writing, the popular show has been renewed for one more season that will likely air in 2026.
The Masked Singer’s Christmas Special Will Air on 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player and the The new series of The Masked Singer begins Saturday, January 4 at 7 p.m.