Holly Willoughby CONFIRMED to appear on The Masked Dancer 💃
She'll be a guest judge on the show!
Last updated 25th May 2021
ITV have confirmed that This Morning favourite Holly Willoughby will appear on the upcoming series of The Masked Singer's spin-off, The Masked Dancer! Holly, who fronts the ITV Daytime show with Phillip Schofield, has been announced as a guest judge for the inaugural series of the spin-off alongside John Bishop and David Walliams.
Holly said of joining the show: "How the Masked Dancers are able to pull off the moves they're doing in these costumes is mind blowing! I absolutely loved joining the panel as a special guest and getting to play detective. You’re all in for a real treat."
David Walliams added: "I had a blast being a guest judge on the show. It is so silly and fun that you can’t help but have the best time. Joel and the other judges made me feel so welcome. It is much harder than judging BGT though. This is more like having to be a detective!"
And John Bishop said: "I went to The Masked Dancer recording not sure what it would be like, but it was the most fun I’ve had for a long time. The show is crazy – but in a good way - and seeing the video wall with all the viewers and families at home watching gives it an extra spice. It was a really fun evening and I thoroughly enjoyed it."
Scroll through to see which characters will be on The Masked Dancer:
Knickerbocker Glory
Whipped cream and whipping viewers into a dance fuelled frenzy.
Flamingo
This beautiful tropical bird migrates to the dance studio during the Spring.
Beagle
Who let the dogs out?
Frog
I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie. To the hip hip hop...
Carwash
Sending the audience into a spin, come on y'all and sing it with me...
Beetroot
They dance to their own beat.
Llama
They'll push me and pull you all around the dancefloor!
Rubber Chicken
You've heard of the funky chicken, now meet... Rubber Chicken!
Scarecrow
An ex-STRAW-dinary mover that's the best dancer in their field.
Viper
Will they have snake hips? Can they be charmed by the music?
Zip
Tearing up the dancefloor, meet Zip!
Squirrel
Introducing a brand-new Nutcracker to the stage...
When does The Masked Dancer start?
The bonkers show, which sees celebrities don outrageous masks and costumes in an attempt to conceal their identity, has had two successful seasons of the singing version over here - and now we'll be seeing a dance version, too, as the start date has been announced as Saturday 29th May!
Rumours were circling around whether we'd see a dance version of the show for a few weeks, especially after the US version being such a huge hit - but ITV have now confirmed the show, along with which famous faces will be sitting on the panel.
What channel is The Masked Dancer on?
The brand new series will be taking place over one week on ITV from Saturday 29th May. Viewers will also be able to catch the quirky show on the ITV Hub.
Who will be on The Masked Dancer judging panel?
Although Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan will return to guess again - with Joel Dommett hosting once more - Rita Ora has been replaced by Strictly Come Dancing and The Greatest Dancer star Oti Mabuse.
Oti said of joining the show, "I’m so thrilled and honoured to be joining the panel on The Masked Dancer. I’m a huge fan of The Masked Singer and I loved the US Masked Dancer so I just can’t wait to start on this show. As a dancer I will be watching the dancers intently looking for clues - it’s going to be so much fun!!!"
Jonathan added, "What people don’t know is that secretly I am an expert in dance and can spot a ball change from a box step no problem. The title of best detective on the panel is most certainly coming my way!"
Mo said, "I love The Masked Singer. It’s a crazy bit of joy, which we all need right now - so when ITV asked if I wanted to join The Masked Dancer I, of course, said a huge yes! I’m really looking forward to getting back with the team for another brilliant series."
Davina said of the new show, "I love playing detective and I love dancing so what could be better?! I’m currently swotting up on all things dance in preparation and I will be watching those celebrity feet like a hawk. They always have such an amazing cast on The Masked Singer so it could literally be anyone hiding and dancing behind those masks and that’s what makes it so exciting."
And Joel gushed, "Well, this is set to be an amazing fun twist…will someone do the twist?! The Masked Dancer is that little bit of silly fun our lives need right now and I’m so excited to be hosting it. I’m looking forward to some incredible costumes, epic performances and accidentally saying Masked Singer at least five times."
And, of course, we will see Holly Willoughby appear as a guest judge alongside John Bishop and David Walliams.
The Masked Dancer will start on 29th May on ITV and the ITV Hub.
Scroll through to see all the celebs we'd LOVE to see on The Masked Dancer:
Cheryl
Not only was Cheryl a successful singer as part of Girls Aloud AND with her solo career, but her dance skills have always been a huge part of her life. Having learned ballet from a young age, Chez always gave the steps her all when performing live! And let's not forget that she was a judge on The Greatest Dancer... C'mon Chez, don a leopard costume or something and get on the show!
Ed Sheeran
We know he didn't exactly wow the judges with his moves on Britannia High, but he's probably got more to give these days. Plus, let's not forget his incredible dancing in his music video for 'Thinking Out Loud'!
Curtis and AJ Pritchard
The dancing brothers have said they'd love to work together on some sort of dance show - so what could be a better opportunity than this? We've seen contestant pairs over in the US, so it's about time we brought it this side of the pond!
Fleur East
Fleur East would be SUCH a good addition to the show. We all know she's got some powerhouse vocals, but imagine what she could do dance-wise on the show?! Everyone knew she had the full package after her incredible performance of 'Uptown Funk' on The X Factor!
David Walliams
We reckon Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams has picked up enough over his almost 10 years on the show to be able to give us some good moves. Especially after his Little Britain co-star and best pal Matt Lucas sat on the judging panel of The Masked Singer as a guest judge during the last season!
Piers Morgan
Similarly, we think Piers Morgan would give everyone a run for their money! Especially now he's left Good Morning Britain!
Ed Balls
Speaking of Strictly moves... We've GOT to see more of Ed Balls' Gangnam Style - whether he's dressed as himself or in some sort of grizzly bear costume.
Gemma Collins
The Queen of Reality TV has SURELY got to give this one a go! We loved seeing Gemma on Dancing On Ice, and she definitely had more to give before her departure - so why not swap those moves for a non-slippy dancefloor?
Jedward
Jedward may have risen to fame with the hopes of becoming singers, but let's not forget THAT classic dance routine to their version of '...Oops I Did It Again' by Britney!
Danny Dyer
Danny Dyer just oozes the sort of confidence you need to be a good dancer... We'd love to see what moves he could bring to the show! And there's got to be some brilliant clues using Cockney Rhyming Slang.
Jesy Nelson
Jesy Nelson has always been a fantastic dancer - from childhood through to her time on The X Factor and with Little Mix, Jesy's dance talents have never shied away! We'd love to see her on this show.
Johannes Radebe
Strictly star Johannes would be a dream on this show! Not only is he a super talented dancer, but he's got such a wonderful personality too - he could win the whole thing!
Kevin Clifton
Another Strictly face we'd love to see is Kevin Clifton! He's always been a talented dancer and he's looking for new projects after leaving the show following the 2019 series.
Theresa May
The Dancing Queen herself would be a brilliant addition to the show! We've already seen some of Theresa's moves before.
Ashley Banjo
If Jordan wouldn't be up for it, perhaps his older brother Ashley would be! Often considered the face of the dance troupe, Ash has proved his dancing skills a million times over - plus he's sat on the panel of Dancing On Ice and Britain's Got Talent!
Torvill and Dean
More potential Dancing On Ice candidates come in the form of Jayne Torvill OBE and Christopher Dean OBE! Surely dancing on normal floor is easier than pirouetting on ice?!
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes
After Ruth's stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, her husband Eamonn teased her mercilessly... So now it's his time to shine - show us what you've got, Eamonn!
Paul Hollywood
We've just got a feeling Paul is secretly blessed with the talent of rhythm. There's just something about those steely eyes.
Read more:
The Masked Singer: Everything you need to know about the bonkers celebrity singing show
Start date confirmed for The Masked Dancer UK
Gabrielle reveals child birth was EASIER than wearing her Masked Singer costume