Alan Carr unmasked as new judge for The Masked Singer

Alan will join the show for the eighth series!

Alan Carr
Author: Alex RossPublished 31st Jul 2026
Last updated 31st Jul 2026

After multiple teases over the last few days about a 'huge' announcement, The Masked Singer bosses certainly haven't disappointed, today (Friday 31st July), revealing that comedian and Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr will be joining the show!

New panelist Alan, who is famously dubbed Chatty Man, will be joined by his own team of detectives, called the ‘Wild Cards’ to guess the identities of the celebrities hidden behind the masks — going up against the current panel.

Alan Carr and his team will go head-to-head with the show's current super-sleuths Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross, who will now be known as the ‘Legends’.

In a video announcing the news, Alan takes his mask off and says: “It’s me, Alan Carr. I’m sick and tired of watching that panel make terrible guesses. I’ve been Red Panda, I’ve been Teeth. I don’t know why they thought of me. So yes, I’m joining the panel and I’m gonna bring something that they desperately need…intelligence.

“Yeah, watch out Jonathan, Maya, Davina and Mo. Because I’m bringing my own detectives to rival yours. And we’re not here to play. We’re here to win.”

Fans took straight to the comments to share their excitement. With one writing: 'OMG THIS IS THE BEST NEWS', while another said '😍😍😍yes!!!!!! Alan will be amazing'.

The new format will see Alan and his team try to give the ‘Legends’ a run for their money to work out who is behind the masks and be crowned the best detectives of The Masked Singer 2027.

ITV/STV bosses have been teasing a big announcement on social media in recent days.

Taking to social media on Wednesday 29th July, the post on The Masked Singer's official Instagram post read: 'A huge reveal is coming this Friday', alongside the caption: 'See you tomorrow for your first clues 👀 unless you’ve spotted some already 🔍'. (sic)

Then, on Thursday 30th July, another video was shared, with the voiceover saying: "Something big is coming to The Masked Singer. Can you guess what? Can you guess who? Can anyone guess both? Get guessing."

The teaser video showed a male figure placing objects onto a chalkboard, which was filled with clues such as the word 'viral', a postcard from Greece, a picture of pandas, and the number three.

A final clue was then posted on Friday morning (31st July), showing the unknown figure spinning around with The Masked Singer logo on his head. The post was captioned with: 'Are you ready for the big reveal 🔍 See you soon 👀'.

Alan has gained huge popularity over the last 12 months, following his iconic appearance on series one of The Celebrity Traitors last year.

Alan, who was made a Traitor by host Claudia Winkleman, somehow managed to win the show, despite his seemingly obvious indications to his co-stars.

The 50-year-old also has his BBC series alongside Amanda Holden, as well as his sold out 'Have I Said Too Much?' tour which is set to begin in 2027.

READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to The Masked Singer series 8

When will The Masked Singer be back on TV?

We don't know an exact date yet, but it's likely to be very early 2027, with the 2026 series starting on 4th January.

Who are the other judges?

Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross will all return as judges, going up against Alan and his team of detectives.

Check out all of the other TV shows we can't wait for the return of:

Ted Lasso

Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March 2025, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, and now Apple TV have announced it will land on 5th August!

Mobland

The Harrigans are back! Mobland series two will officially hit Paramount+ on 18th September 2026!

Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake

Following the love for the first three series, Pete Wicks has now confirmed his hit series For Dogs' Sake will return for a fourth, with filming taking place over the summer.

Doctor Foster

Nine years after the second series aired on BBC, bosses delighted fans in February 2026, by revealing Doctor Foster will be returning with Suranne Jones. Suranne will reprise her role as Dr Gemma Foster, opposite Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom. Filming took place in spring 2026.

Last One Laughing

Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the first two series of Prime Video show Last One Laughing has been a huge success! Before series two had even concluded in early April 2026, bosses confirmed a third series was in the works, as well as a Halloween special!

Emily In Paris

After season five dropped in December 2025, and was met with huge viewing figures, Netflix were quick to renew Emily In Paris for a sixth season. No start date has been announced, but it could be late in 2026.

Vigil

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. Filming wrapped in Scotland in January 2026, so we will see show return later in 2026. At this stage there's no exact date!

The Day of the Jackal

Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal broke viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming started in 2025, so we could see the show return sometime in 2026.

Line of Duty

Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026, and bosses have now confirmed it will air in 2027.

Unforgotten

After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but filming did begin at the start of 2026.

This City Is Ours

Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming now complete! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but bosses have said it will return this autumn.

Gangs of London

Following the third series in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. In April 2026, the plot and casting details were announced, as filming officially got underway!

Peaky Blinders

Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that Peaky Blinders will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family. The as-yet-untitled show will star Billy Elliot and Fantastic Four actor Jamie Bell in the main role as Duke Shelby.

The Celebrity Traitors

After the record-breaking first series in October-November 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed The Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026!

The Night Agent

Following the release of series three in early 2026, Netflix has now confirmed a fourth series of hit drama The Night Agent is now in production! There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will return in 2027.

All's Fair

After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair has now been renewed for a second series! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production started in spring 2026.

Trigger Point

After three hugely-successful series of ITV drama Trigger Point, the show will return for a fourth series in 2026! Although there's no release date just yet, we do know that filming is now complete!

The Night Manager

Following the return of BBC thriller The Night Manager in early 2026, bosses have now confirmed the show will return for a third series! Although there's no return date just yet, fans are on edge following the huge twist in the series two finale.

Love Is Blind: UK

Following two hit series of Netflix dating show Love Is Blind: UK, bosses have renewed the show for more series, with the third set to air later in 2026! Applications for series four in 2027 are also now open!

The Morning Show

Popular Apply TV series The Morning Show is set to return to our screens for a fifth instalment with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup. Reese confirmed in March 2026 that filming had started!

One Born Every Minute

After seven years off our screens, E4 announced in April 2026 that popular documentary series One Born Every Minute will be making a return! Although there's no start date just yet, bosses have confirmed filming will begin later this year.

Red Eye

Following the third series which hit our screens on New Year's Day in 2026, rumours are rife that high-octane ITV/STV drama Red Eye will return for a third! Nothing has been officially announced just yet, but it sounds like viewing figures were very high for the first two series.

Stacey & Joe

The BBC have renewed fly-on-the-wall reality series Stacey & Joe for a third series, with filming due to begin this Summer!

Amandaland

Award-winning BBC comedy Amandaland is returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for a six-part third series after two successful runs and a record-breaking 2025 Christmas special. Starring Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, the show follows self-styled SoHa queen Amanda as she juggles influencer ambitions, family tensions and a Harlesden budget.

Kin

Irish crime drama Kin is officially returning for a third series! After years of rumours, Irish broadcaster RTÉ confirmed the exciting news in July 2026, confirming production is now underway. Although there's no start date just yet, it's expected to land in 2027!