‘The Masked Singer’ edged one step closer to its grand finale tonight, with a dramatic double unmasking that saw two more characters bow out of the competition.
As the ITV juggernaut tightens the screws, the latest episode delivered big performances, emotional moments and plenty of guesswork before two familiar faces were finally revealed. With the finish line now in sight, the stakes have never felt higher.
If you are not fully caught up, consider this your spoiler warning before reading on.
❗ Spoiler alert: scroll no further if you have not watched ❗
Sloth unmasked as Ben Fogle
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How does it feel singing without a mask on?
I feel really exposed right now, I feel naked. I just feel like I need to hide my face. There’s something incredibly liberating about no one knowing who you are and being able to just let go. And then singing the song just now, once unmasked, I didn’t realise I had to do that. Singing the song without the mask was one of the harder things I’ve had to do in life and I’ve done some pretty big challenges. But it’s been joyous, it’s been really fun. Ridiculous. I made a commitment that if I was going to do this, I was going to go 100%. I don’t do things by halves and I think I’ve delivered.
You’re one of the most energetic people we’ve had on this show, how does it feel to bring that energy?
Well I had to do something. Listen, my singing wasn’t going to get me very far. So I realised early on, if I was going to stand a chance of getting anywhere in this show, and I made it to the semi finals, that’s not bad is it, I had to bring this to life. I could only do that with a lot of energy and honestly, I don’t think I’ve sweated that much in a very long time.
They thought you were Joe Wicks, Spencer Matthews, Bear Grylls. How did you manage to fool them all?
I don’t know because I have quite a distinctive accent. I get stopped all the time when people hear me before they see me. So I realised early on one of my challenges was going to be how to hide this ridiculous voice of mine. I did it with some terrible voices, a little bit of cockney, a little bit of Danny Dyer, geezer, a little bit of American. That added another layer of complication to singing, which is not my forte. But that’s all part of the game isn’t it.
Did you enjoy the vocal coaching?
I really enjoyed it. I’ve never done any singing but I really loved doing it. There was one song, which was actually my sing off song Flash Bang Wallop from Half a Sixpence, that was the one I really wanted to do because my mother was in the original musical. I remember watching it as a child and that song was just so joyous. To sing that on a stage, in front of an audience, with no one knowing who I was, was super fun.
And what a beautiful song to end on?
Yes, there’s something about the frog chorus that I think is really beautiful and emotional. I couldn’t really have ended on a better song. It wasn’t a crowd pleaser but I got to sing it. I think it was beautiful. I get to wear this ridiculous costume and I’m looking at everyone smiling and laughing at me. I keep forgetting what I actually look like.
Do you feel a bit emotional after that performance?
I’m just relieved to be honest. I think I’d reached the end of my road. I don’t think I had that much more to give. There was a fun Billy Ocean song I’m sad I didn’t get to sing but I sang my heart out. One of the reasons I really wanted to do this was to bring some happiness and joy and show you don’t have to take yourself too seriously. You can all find your inner aerobic Sloth.
Can of Worms unmasked as Marvin Humes
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How are you?
This is just the most bonkers show to be a part of. But the most fun. I got to sing one of the songs I sing to my kids at home, so it’s been a lot of fun.
Do your kids love watching the show?
Yes. My eldest I had to tell but my other two don’t know.
Can you talk to us about your song choices?
That was the whole thing. I wanted to be completely across the board. Be Our Guest, Ghostbusters, Temperature, Pure Imagination which is one of my favourite songs. I drive my kids mad singing it at home. And then Cha Cha Slide. Who doesn’t love Cha Cha Slide?
You actually did the dance in your final performance?
Yeah of course. I had to. I was doing the dance mirrored the other way which was tricky. I had a massive Can of Worms on my head and then I got to sing John Legend, Ordinary People at the end, which is one of my all time favourites.
As a singer, was it liberating singing inside the costume?
I haven’t sung by myself in a long time. I’m used to being with three other guys on stage. Even masked, it felt strange but I enjoyed it. When the mask came off, I loved it. It was nice doing something by myself where singing was concerned.
Where would be the best place to wear the costume?
I think I should go to my youngest Blake’s school and walk into the classroom as Can of Worms.
Did you talk to Aston about doing the show?
He told me how much he loved it and that I should do it. But none of the boys knew. Only Rochelle and my eldest knew.
What did Rochelle say?
What’s not to love about a Can of Worms on stage? Have you seen these worms?
You’re moving around in the costume as we speak?
It’s like when you have a baby and you’ve got a natural rock. I can’t stop moving my arms in this outfit.
You’ve achieved so much. Is this your greatest career achievement?
One million percent. Who wouldn’t want to be on TV every Saturday night dressed as a Can of Worms? To make it to the semi final is unreal.
Credit: ITV
The Masked Singer finale airs Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.