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Joel also shared his thoughts on former judge Rita Ora, who has been replaced by Maya Jama.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:
Dancing On Ice
Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby are set to return in early 2025 for a brand new series of Dancing On Ice, with a whole new bunch of celebs signing up to take part in the show. The new series begins on Sunday 12th January.
Gladiators
Following the hugely successful first series, BBC bosses were quick to announce Gladiators had been commissioned for a second series! After filming took place in August last year, the new series will begin on Saturday 18th January.
The Night Agent
After series one was Netflix's most-watched show of 2023, bosses were quick to commission The Night Agent for a second series! Netflix have now announced series two will land on Thursday 23rd January 2025. The show has also now been renewed for a third series.
The Apprentice
Lord Sugar is back at the end of January for series 19 of The Apprentice! 18 new candidates will be trying to impress Lord Sugar and his aides Baroness Karen Brady and Tim Campbell MBE. The new series begins on Thursday 30th January.
The Kardashians
The sixth series of The Kardashians will be available to stream on Disney+ from Thursday 6th February. Kris, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kylie and Kendall will return for more drama.
Unforgotten
Following the tense ending to series five in April 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to reveal drama series Unforgotten had been commissioned for a sixth series. Filming started in March 2024, and now we know the series will land on Sunday 9th February.
Squid Game
Although series two of Squid Game only dropped on Boxing Day, the good news is that series three has already been filmed, and it's due out in 2025! There's no start date just yet, but creator Dong-Hyuk has teased it could be out in the Summer, with Netflix Korea apparently leaking a date of 27th June.
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production! Despite this, there's still no word yet on a release date.
Celebrity Big Brother
Following the first rebooted series in 2024, which welcomed celebs such as Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and David Potts, it was confirmed that Celebrity Big Brother will be returning for another season in 2025!
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.
Black Mirror
In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror will land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. No official date has been announced just yet.
The Bay
ITV/STV drama The Bay was immediately renewed for a fifth series, following the fourth in 2023. Marsha Thomason is set to reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend. Although there's no start date just yet, filming wrapped in July 2024.
Race Across The World
Series four of Race Across The World was one of the BBC's most popular shows of the year, and they were quick to renew the show for a fifth series. With applications closing in May this year, we suspect the show will air around Spring 2025.
Clarkson's Farm
Following three amazing series, Prime Video confirmed a fourth series was in the works in 2024, with it due to land in 2025. As if that wasn't enough, Jeremy has now confirmed series five is in production!
Love Is Blind: UK
Following the successful first series of Love Is Blind: UK, with hosts Matt and Emma Willis, Netflix have now confirmed the series has been renewed for a second instalment! Applications are open now, with series two set to air in 2025.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming is due to begin in 2025, but there's no word on any release date just yet.
Mrs Brown's Boys
The popular controversial comedy Mrs Brown's Boys is returning for a fifth season! The show made its almighty return to screens in 2023, with fans delighted at the news that not only do we have some festive specials on the way - but a brand new mini series coming our way - with filming set to begin in 2025.
Emily In Paris
That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - with fans taking it upon themselves to dub the season 'Emily In Rome'.
Trigger Point
Following two successful series, ITV/STV bosses announced in October 2024 that they'd commissioned Trigger Point for a third series, with production set to begin in London in 2025. Vicky McClure will reprise her role as bomb disposal operative Lana Washington, with series three expected to air sometime in early 2026.
Nobody Wants This
It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it's no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. Although there's no exact release date for series two just yet, we suspect it will be sometime in 2025.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken 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 is expected to take place in 2025.
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