The seventh season of The Masked Singer UK launched with a splash on January 3, 2026, delivering two major celebrity reveals in its first episode. Pop star Anne-Marie was unmasked as Goldfish, the frontwoman for the show’s first-ever live band, No Trout. The launch episode also saw presenter Alex Jones, known for hosting The One Show, revealed as the Disc Jockey. The premiere introduced a new format twist featuring live bands and set a fast pace, with more unmaskings promised throughout the season.
Fan Guesses and the Big Reveal
From the moment Goldfish took the stage, viewers on social media were quick to identify the voice behind the mask. Many fans correctly named Anne-Marie even before the unmasking, commenting on her distinctive singing style and stage presence. One fan on X wrote, “Knew it was Anne-Marie purely by the way she stood” .
Another said, “Without a doubt @AnneMarie is goldfish!! #MaskedSingerUK” . The clues presented to the judges strongly pointed to the singer. A mathematical riddle given to judge Mo Gilliganโ”54x4x10-166+8=X”โsolved to 2002, the title of one of Anne-Marie’s biggest hits.
Another clue referencing a “Christmas tree” was seen as a nod to her 2016 festive number-one single Rockabye with Clean Bandit. On the judging panel, only Maya Jama correctly guessed Anne-Marie. Her suspicion was confirmed by a visual clue: a member of the No Trout band wore multiple black belts, referencing Anne-Marie’s real-life achievement as a world champion in Shotokan karate.
“I’m a 100% sure. It’s Anne-Marie,” said Maya Jama during the judging segment.
Upon her reveal, a delighted Anne-Marie performed her hit song 2002 without the costume and then joined the panel as a guest judge for the remainder of the episode.
Alex Jones Surprises as Disc Jockey
The premiere featured a second elimination, with the studio audience voting off the Disc Jockey. The unmasking shocked the panel, revealing Alex Jones. The television presenter performed Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. Her clues, which mentioned facing “trials” and having “represented my country,” referenced her work with Comic Relief and her Welsh heritage.
A photo of judge Jonathan Ross hinted at her early career hosting a talk show called Jonathan. After the mask came off, Alex Jones expressed her surprise, stating, “To be honest, I wouldn’t have guessed me!” . She later described the experience as a “career highlight” and “something I will remember forever” . Fans online praised her singing ability, with one viewer commenting, “alex Jones is actually a decent singer donโt think she should have been voted out tbf” .
A New Format and Sensitive Programming
The 2026 season introduces a significant new element: The Masked Singer Band. The first two episodes feature celebrities leading these live bands, adding a fresh dynamic to the show. Host Joel Dommett explained the change brings “so much energy in the room” .
Following the Goldfish and No Trout performance on January 3, the second episode on January 4, 2026, featured Emperor Penguin leading the Antarctic Funkeys. The season promises an accelerated pace with “more unmaskings than ever before,” according to judge Jonathan Ross. The launch was marked by a sensitive programming decision.
ITV chose to remove the performance of another contestant, Red Panda, from the first episode broadcast. The character’s costume includes a firefighter’s uniform with burn marks. In a statement, ITV said this decision was made “in light of the tragic events in Switzerland,” referring to a deadly fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Eve. The network confirmed Red Panda would perform in a later episode.
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What’s Next for the Season
The guessing game continues with a lineup of new characters set to perform. The remaining masks for the season include Moth, Can Of Worms, Conkers, Arctic Fox, Toastie, Monkey Business, Yak, Sloth, Gargoyle, and Teabag. The Masked Singer UK airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX. The show is hosted by Joel Dommett, with the judging panel consisting of Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan.
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