THE TOP hot DOG
JOSS STONE’S MASKED SINGER WIN AS SAUSAGE DRAWS RECORD TV AUDIENCE
OTHER channels were left playing ketchup as The Masked Singer’s biggest audience so far tuned in to see Sausage unmasked as Joss Stone.
The hit ITV show’s final drew in an average 8.6million viewers – the most for any broadcaster so far this year, aside from news and sport – as singer Stone, disguised as the snack, was crowned champion on Saturday.
‘In these testing times, we’re delighted that The Masked Singer has brought some escapist joy and light relief to so many viewers at home,’ said Kevin Lygo, the broadcaster’s managing director of media and entertainment.
‘At the end of a long week in lockdown, we’re all coming together and trying to guess who’s dressed as a giant sausage, and quite frankly, it’s been a brilliantly entertaining tonic.’
According to ITV figures, the audience peaked at 10.6million during the final – which attracted an average 2.2million more viewers than the last episode of last year’s series, and more than double the amount for the Boxing Day series opener. Badger was revealed to be US singer Ne-Yo, while Robin was unveiled as JLS star Aston Merrygold, after panellists Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall, plus guest Nicola Roberts, tried to guess who the three remaining contestants were. Singers Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mel B, Morten Harket and Gabrielle, comedian Sir Lenny Henry, presenter Sue Perkins, actor John Thomson, former footballer Glenn Hoddle and actress Martine McCutcheon were unmasked earlier in the series. The programme sees famous contestants don elaborate costumes to sing in front of a celebrity panel, which is tasked with guessing their identities.