Bon Jovi legend Richie Sambora reflects on his time on The Masked Singer

Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was unveiled as Jacket Potato on ITV show The Masked Singer on Saturday night (11th February).

Ever since the fourth series of The Masked Singer premiered on ITV on New Year’s Day, speculation has been rife that the anthropomorphic spud wearing kitchen foil with melting butter on his head was 63-year-old Richie Sambora.

On Saturday, Richie Sambora officially revealed his identity as Jacket Potato. Davina McCall was the only judge who guessed that Richie was behind the mask.

Watch Richie Sambora unveil himself as Jacket Potato:

Speaking about his involvement in the show, Richie said: "It took a little getting used to (singing in a potato), but once I put it on, that was it! It's a wild reality when you do this show, it's a gas. Everyone has treated me so good here. I've had a ball! It's been a lot of fun."

Following the big reveal, fans couldn't believe it was the legendary guitarist behind the mask. Taking to Twitter in excitement, one fan wrote: 'Wow!!!! Legend', another wrote: 'I absolutely LOVE you for doing this!', with a third saying: 'Wow Richie Sambora absolute legend!!'.

Another joked: 'I thought it was Jon Bon Jovi so I guess I was halfway there…'.

Whilst one more fan commented: 'Didn’t he entertain and do well . Love him and glad he enjoyed it too'. (sic)

There had been numerous clues along the way pointing to the guitarist's identity.

In the pre-song clue clips, Jacket Potato has turned on a tap to a slip n’ slide (an overt reference to Bon Jovi’s ‘Slippery When Wet’), the backdrop has included the number 50 (“we’re halfway there” from ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’) and there was a jar with offensive names in it (‘You Give Love A Bad Name’).

Jacket Potato also delivered a riddle, saying: "Hey it's me Jack, Jacket Potato. I've got quite the collection, so big you'll say ‘Woah,’" – a nod to the “woah” lines from ‘Livin on a Prayer.’

Another Jacket Potato riddle clue when played backwards said: “I am in the Hall of Fame”. Bon Jovi were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Song-wise, Jacket Potato sang Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ in episode 4, a track Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora have both performed live, plus Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own Way’ in episode 6, a reference to Richie's exit from Bon Jovi in 2013.

Jacket Potato also flaunted his guitar playing prowess on a gold Fender Telecaster throughout the performance of ‘Go Your Own Way.’

Last November, Richie Sambora said it’s a “possibility” he could reunite with Bon Jovi for a headline slot at Glastonbury 2023.

Richie Sambora exited Bon Jovi after 30 years in 2013, and he reunited on stage with the band at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2018.

Check out all of the characters on The Masked Singer series four below:

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• Bon Jovi