The Masked Singer UK featured an unexpected reveal when the Gargoyle was unmasked as singer Marcella Detroit, best known from the 90s pop duo Shakespears Sister. During the Spooktacular special episode that aired on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Gargoyle lost a sing-off and was eliminated, leading to the unveiling. The reveal generated a significant and mixed response from viewers at home, with many expressing surprise and some confusion over the identity of the music legend.
The Spooktacular Episode and Gargoyle’s Final Performance
The elimination took place during a Halloween-themed episode, an unusual choice for mid-January that some viewers noted as “weird”. For their final performance, the Gargoyle delivered a rock rendition of Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” in a bid to stay in the competition. They were in the bottom two against Sloth, who performed “Flash Bang Wallop” by Tommy Steele. After the performances, the judging panelโconsisting of Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, and Maya Jamaโvoted to save Sloth, sending the Gargoyle home.
Prior to the unmasking, the panel made several guesses about who could be behind the Gargoyle mask. Their final suggestions included music artists like Cyndi Lauper and Joan Jett, as well as television personalities Fiona Bruce and Ruby Wax. None of these guesses were correct. The episode also featured special guest judge Ben Shephard, with the host and all judges dressed in full Halloween costumes for the themed show.
Marcella Detroit Revealed as the Gargoyle
When the mask came off, the celebrity revealed was Marcella Detroit, the American singer-songwriter famed for being one-half of the pop duo Shakespears Sister alongside Siobhan Fahey. Speaking after her elimination, Detroit shared her feelings about the experience.
“I’m really sad to go. It’s been an incredible experience. Everyone has been so nice and so much fun. Very helpful, really kind,” she said.
She also explained that her decision to join the UK show coincided with a personal move. She and her British husband had wanted to return to England for some time, and the offer to be on The Masked Singer arrived at the perfect moment.
Fan Reactions to the Gargoyle’s Identity
The reveal prompted an immediate and varied reaction on social media platform X. While many viewers were excited and impressed to see the pop legend, a notable portion of the audience admitted they did not recognize her, leading to responses of confusion.
Positive and Surprised Reactions:
- Many fans were thrilled and shocked by the reveal. Comments included, “Marcella Detroit!! WOW! I wouldn’t have guessed her” and “NO FRICKIN WAY”.
- Others praised her talent and the clarity the unmasking brought, with one viewer stating, “The voice totally makes sense now! I knew I bly recognised it!”*.
- Some were amazed by her appearance, with a fan noting, “She looks amazing!” and another adding they would have “never guessed” she was 73.
Confused and Disappointed Reactions:
- A significant number of viewers simply did not know who she was. Multiple posts asked “Who?” or “Who’s that?”.
- One comment read, “Hadnโt a clue who she was. Had to look her up”, while another observed, “Not sure the judges knew who she was when she took the head off”.
- A fan expressed disappointment, commenting, “Marcella Detroit sounds like Siobhan Fahey these days. What a disappointment”.
The Clues That Pointed to Marcella Detroit
Looking back, the show included several clue packages that hinted at Detroit’s identity, though none of the judges deciphered them correctly. Key clues from the episode included:
- Three Peppers: A visual clue showing three peppers was a reference to Detroit’s appearance in the 1978 film “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
- Missing “E”: A poster for “Gargoyl” missing the letter “E” directly mirrored the spelling of “Shakespears Sister”, which also intentionally omits an “E”.
- Music and Career References: Clues about being in a band and having a long career in music aligned with her work with Eric Clapton, her solo projects, and of course, her defining period with Shakespears Sister.
Other Contestants and Competition Updates
Marcella Detroit is the fourth celebrity to be eliminated from the 2026 season of The Masked Singer UK. Previous reveals include:
- Disc Jockey: Unmasked as Alex Jones, presenter of The One Show.
- Teabag: Revealed to be rapper Professor Green.
- Yak: Unmasked as punk icon John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols.
The season also features celebrities performing as part of the show’s house band. Anne-Marie was unveiled as Goldfish and Matt Lucas as Emperor Penguin during the launch weekend.
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