GOT TIME OFF? PLAN YOUR FESTIVE TELEVISION VIEWING
As The Masked Singer returns to ITV, KERRI ANN ROPER finds out all the details from super-sleuths Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan
Dress to impress:
A host of new celebrities will adopt outlandish alter-egos
JONATHAN ROSS is talking about the return of The Masked Singer and uses what couldn’t be a more apt description of the series when he says “It’s ITV’s Christmas gift to the television viewer”.
And there’s no doubting it’ll be a welcome presence when it airs again on Boxing Day with a line-up of 12 new characters, including Grandfather Clock, Badger, Seahorse, Sausage (who will perform wrapped in newspaper and accompanied by a portion of chips), Blob, Robin, Harlequin, Swan and more.
Jonathan will once again be joined by returning panellists Davina McCall and Rita Ora, with comedian Mo Gilligan taking over from American star Ken Jeong.
Newcomer Mo and returning host Joel Dommett are both in agreement as to how much the singing series will lighten the national mood.
Mo says: “I think, during these kind of times, shows like this is what really brings people together on a Saturday night.”
The last series of the popular show, which sees a variety of celebrities singing while dressed in elaborate costumes and masks to hide their identity, was won by Girls
Aloud star Nicola
Roberts, who performed as Queen Bee. She triumphed over an eclectic and unexpected range of singers that included politician Alan Johnson, singers Kelis, Justin Hawkins, Skin, Jake Shears and Katherine Jenkins, and footballer Teddy Sheringham.
Joel says the last series “felt important because it was a show that has no cynicism to it, it’s not cynical, it’s just silly, fun, and I think
2020 has proved that is what we need, I think. And I’m just really excited for it to be on TV and for everyone to have a bit of silliness in their life in a very serious year.”
Like many TV productions, filming this year was at the mercy of the coronavirus pandemic, and luckily was able to be filmed in September with a very limited audience.
TV star Jonathan explains: “This time filming was a lot of fun, in a way it was more of a party atmosphere.
“We recorded this under very strict Covid rules so it was a different atmosphere anyway.
“We were lucky enough to have a small audience and there was that feeling where we all just felt lucky to be out, and I think that the performers felt that way as well – they really entered into the spirit and there was a real camaraderie on the show.”
He adds: “It’s the best show to be doing because everyone’s in a mask, so we’re sort of ahead of the game.” Former Big Brother host
Davina is in agreement as she explains that the judging panel also have Perspex screens between them for added safety.
“That’s lovely,” she says, “because I was very worried about what it would look like, because I thought, well, if they’re (the audience) all separated by two metres and they’re only in groups of four, it’s going to feel so cold and a bit dead in the audience?
“But the lighting team here have done the most amazing job, putting these beautiful column lights that stand up, three or four between each group of people.
“So, not only is that creating a bit of a barrier between the two socially distanced groups, but it creates, when you look into the audience, a sort of feeling of fullness and it’s so pretty.”
For singer Rita, whose own hits include Hot Right Now and Let You Love Me, it’s Jonathan’s outfits that have caught her eye.
“You should see Jonathan’s wardrobe...” she teases.
Chat show host Jonathan adds: “I took advantage of lockdown to go through all my boxes of old stuff and I’m getting out clothes I considered ridiculous in the ‘80s and now I still consider ridiculous but I don’t care anymore.”
Rita chips in: “I’m like ‘Please can I wear this?’ I literally ask to borrow his clothes all the time.”
Viewers, are in for a treat, says Mo.
“I can promise you epic performances
– we’re talking flame-throwers, glitter raining down.”
A perfect tonic for 2020.