Joel Dommett says “real legends” are behind this year’s Masked Singers
He said "the names get bigger and bigger"
The Masked Singer host, Joel Dommett, is back on our screens, turning a dreary January into one full of fun, music and mystery! But who is hiding behind those wacky costumes?
Joel joined Fleur, James and Matt on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show to talk all things Masked Singer — telling us there's some "real legends" yet to be unmasked! He also explains why the success of the ITV show lead the presenter to install gates at home...
"I had to get a gate, and make the hedge bigger, because people kept knocking on the door and saying 'take it off, take it off' and running away," said Joel.
He revealed some of this year's masked celebrities have already been guessed online, telling Hits Radio: “There’s some big old shocks this year. The names get bigger and bigger. There’s some really amazing ones this year. Just real legends of the game.
"Some people have started to say those names online."
Joel also shared his thoughts on former judge Rita Ora, who has been replaced by Maya Jama.
"What Rita used to do, and she was so fantastic as this, she would not really know who anyone was. And she had no guesses, so what she would do, she would go through her phone and just pick whoever was the first person who came up in her contacts. And just pick someone really, really famous. She was great Rita, and Maya's a great replacement too. It's great stuff."
Joel also spoke about appearing on the Celebrity version of the Gladiators: "Rob Beckett is… like a little terrier. He’s got such a solid base, one of his legs looks like two of my legs, he’s got a solid foundation. So when that pugil stick is hitting him he ain't going anywhere, whereas I’m like a little twig man, I’m all over the shop.
"I did not last well when those massive fake-tanned men were smashing me in the face. I’ll give you some background information - the fake tan up close is unbelievable. It’s got glitter in it, it’s like they’ve bathed in gravy and it makes them look incredible!"
Joel says the first episode of this year's The Masked Singer was watched by almost 5million people, which is the highest the show has had since series one.
When is The Masked Singer on TV?
You can catch it on Saturday nights at 7pm, on ITV.
Now check out all the TV shows we can wait to return:
Love Is Blind
Nick and Vanessa Lachey are back with a 10th series of popular reality series Love Is Blind! The new series drops on Netflix on 11th Feb!
The Night Agent
After series two dropped on Netflix in January 2025, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, and bosses have now confirmed it will return on 19th February 2026.
Bridgerton
Part one of the hugely-antipcated fourth series of Bridgerton landed on Thursday 28th January, and we don't have long to wait for the second part, which drops on 26th February 2026.
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 in Summer 2026!
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 could see show return later in 2026.
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, so we could expect it to land in the second half of 2026.
Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. Filming for series two started in October 2025, with bosses also announcing a Christmas special!
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 taking place now! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will be sometime in 2026.
At Home With The Furys
Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple's seven children is underway now.
The Bear
Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.
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. Although there's no start date just yet, filming reportedly started in January 2026.
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that the show will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family, so it's not a given that Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby. It'll be filmed in Digbeth, Birmingham. There's no release date just yet!
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!
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 begins 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!
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