The biggest surprise of The Masked Singer UK‘s new season came when the glittering purple Yak was eliminated and unmasked. The figure inside the elaborate costume was revealed to be John Lydon, the punk icon famously known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. The 69-year-old rock legend was sent home after a sing-off against fellow contestant Monkey Business during the show’s sports day-themed episode on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Fans React to the Unexpected Performance and Reveal
Social media lit up with shock and amusement as viewers processed the reveal. Many fans were completely surprised that the lead singer of the notorious punk band was competing on the family-friendly show.
One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Wow, I didn’t think that the cow on the Masked Singer was going to be Johnny Rotten!!”. Another said, “The fact that the lead singer of the sex pistols has just been on tv dressed as a yak is pretty mind blowing and what makes The Masked Singer so good”.
Before his identity was known, the Yak’s unique singing style during performances of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” and Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” became a talking point. Some viewers commented directly on the vocal performance. A fan posted on X, “Whoever Yak is, they can’t sing #TheMaskedSingerUk”. Another wrote, “I need subtitles for Yak”, while others questioned why the character advanced in the competition.
Inside John Lydon’s Time as the Yak
After removing the large, “backbreaking” bull head, Lydon spoke with host Joel Dommett about his experience. He explained his playful approach to the competition, stating he actively tried to disguise his singing to avoid being guessed.
“I didn’t want to give the game away, so I tried everything I could not to come across as a singer. It apparently worked,” Lydon joked after the reveal.
He also shared his motivation for joining the show. Lydon mentioned he is currently recording a new album with his band, Public Image Ltd (PiL), and that the appearance fee would provide helpful financial support for the independent project.
“I’m in the middle of recording an album, and a little bit of extra cash will go a long way towards that budget. We’re independent,” he said.
He described his time on the show positively, calling himself an “absolute fun-star” and saying he “absolutely loved” the experience. This was not Lydon’s first time on a Masked Singer stage; he previously competed on The Masked Singer US in 2021, where he was unmasked as the Jester.
How the Judges and Clues Led to the Reveal
The judging panel, consisting of regulars Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan, was joined by special guest Freddie Flintoff for the episode. Their guesses for the Yak’s identity ranged widely, including comedian Leigh Francis, actor Jason Momoa, and comic Harry Hill. Davina McCall had specifically guessed Jason Momoa, linking clues about ham and pineapple pizza (Hawaiian) to the actor’s role as Aquaman.
It was cricket legend Freddie Flintoff who correctly identified the voice as John Lydon’s. The clues presented throughout the episode supported this guess:
- “Yak of all trades”: Referencing Lydon’s career as a musician, writer, and occasional actor.
- Ham and pineapple pizza: A nod to his band Public Image Ltd’s song “Hawaii”.
- “Leave your tech behind” / “From dusk till dawn”: Possibly hinting at reconnecting with nature or all-night activities.
- A reference to being chased by cows: A playful allusion to Lydon’s famous Country Life butter advertisement from years prior.
Other Major Reveals in The Masked Singer UK Season 7
The seventh season of the ITV show premiered on January 3, 2026, and has already featured several other notable unveilings.
In the first episode, Alex Jones, the presenter of BBC’s The One Show, was unmasked as Disc Jockey. That same night, singer Anne-Marie was revealed as Goldfish, performing as part of the show’s live band, No Trout.
The second episode on Sunday, January 4, saw the elimination of Teabag, who was revealed to be rapper Professor Green. That episode also featured a special performance from Emperor Penguin, who joined the judging panel after being unmasked as comedian and actor Matt Lucas.
Following the Yak’s elimination, the remaining contestants moving forward in the competition are Monkey Business, Toastie, Arctic Fox, Conkers, Moth, Can of Worms, Red Panda, Sloth, and Gargoyle. The Masked Singer UK airs on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX. New episodes continue on Saturday nights at 7 PM.
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