Take it off! The Masked Singer is set for return – and it’s way sooner than you think

The Masked Singer is set to return later this month, ITV bosses have confirmed.

The hit show will return for its fifth series on Saturday 30 December – with comedian Joel Dommett hosting once again. The series sees various celebrities dress up in elaborate character costumes, with their identities hidden, while they perform well known songs.

Viewers, along with the show’s panel, then try to work out who is behind the masks based on their voices and clues given throughout the series. The panel is to remain unchanged for the new series as Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross all return.

However, it has previously been reported that pop star Rita won’t be able to appear on all of the UK episodes as she has also joined the US version of the show. She is set to be replaced by a series of guest stars, with comedian Jennifer Saunders reportedly being one of them.

Olly Murs – who was recently axed from The Voice UK panel – will also appear on the new series of The Masked Singer, according to reports.

Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment at ITV, previously said: "The Masked Singer has once again established itself as unmissable event television, keeping the nation guessing throughout its glorious eight-week run.

"We’re already counting down to see who’s hiding behind those infamous masks and look forward to welcoming the series back."

The first episode of the new season will be broadcast at 7pm on ITV1 on 30 December.

An ITV spokesperson said: "TV’s craziest guessing game is back for a new series. The Masked Singer is the surreal singing show where 12 big celebrities compete undercover in elaborate costumes, keeping their true identities under wraps.

"As each celebrity performs, our superstar panel of detectives are left to decipher the clues and unlock TV’s best kept secret. Only AFTER being eliminated are the celebrities’ true identities revealed, as they are unmasked on stage.

"Expect tougher clues, phenomenal performances, and jaw-dropping reveals as, once again, we ask 'Who is behind the Mask?'"

In February this year, Charlie Simpson was announced as the winner of The Masked Singer 2023. The Busted star, 37, was unveiled to be the celeb behind the Rhino costume on the show after it was revealed he'd beaten Phoenix and Fawn in the grand final.

Judges Rita and Davina had both guessed it was Charlie behind the mask, while Mo and Jonathan had been sure it was X Factor star James Arthur.

Prior to Charlie's unmasking, it was announced that Fawn had come in third place while Phoenix was the runner-up. Fawn was then unveiled as All Saints star Natalie Appleton, 49. Phoenix was revealed to be Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, 45, taking everyone by surprise.

Following his reveal, judge Rita was in shock as she had worked alongside Ricky in the past on The Voice, saying: “If you sang how you sing I would have got you in a second.”

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