Swan hell of an ordeal
Martine: Outfit was so hot and heavy I was glad to go
MARTINE McCutcheon breathed a sigh of relief after being unmasked as the swan The Masked Singer.
The former EastEnders and Love Actually star, 44, joked that her “spectacular” costume on the hit ITV was “hot and claustrophobic” and gave her back pain.
She shocked many fans who thought a Pussycat Doll was inside the costume which featured a heavy black headpiece and wings.
Martine, who sang Black Velvet by Alannah Myles, said: “The mask was more like a heavy wired sculpture and it weighed a ton. I couldn’t see anything so, yes, nerves were there.
“I felt like I was just getting started and had just managed to stay stood up in my outfit. I’d have loved to have shown off my voice more but I also felt really relieved as I was so hot and claustrophobic. It was nice to be able to see and breathe again.”
ACCENT
She said of the show’s secrecy: “It’s taken very seriously. We had to wear a disguise and it felt like I was going to rob a bank.”
The London-born star sang in an American accent and only judge Jonathan Ross guessed her identity from the clues.
She said: “I felt it was vital that I changed my accent as my own is so distinctive.”
Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan thought the swan could be Pussycat Dolls’ Kimberly Wyatt or Ashley Roberts.
Martine later posted a video online of herself watching Saturday’s show at home with son Rafferty, five. When she was unmasked, the shocked boy said: “What? Mummy, mummy, mummy! Oh my god.”
She added: “I’ve never known an operation like it! I didn’t get to sing a big ballad but I did get to be a showgirl again.” JLS singer Aston Merrygold is 1/ 5 favourite to be unmasked this week as the robin after fans said the “played for England” clue fitted as he was in the England team for Soccer Aid in 2012.
The Masked Singer airs on ITV on Saturdays at 7pm.
I’d have loved to have shown off my voice but it’s nice to be able to see and breathe again
MARTINE MCCUTCHEON ON STAR TURN IN THE MASKED SINGER