The Masked Dancer guessing game has eliminated its first contestant after Astronaut was unmasked as Desperate Housewives star Jesse Metcalfe.
The ITV show returned to screens with a fresh batch of celebrities shimmying and shaking in elaborate costumes before the judging panel.
The show’s host Joel Dommett appeared alongside the illustrious panel including newcomer Peter Crouch, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Oti Mabuse, who are tasked with guessing the celebrity identities.
As the show returned, fans were keen to work out who's behind the masks with a record number of 13 celebrities taking part in this series. Costumes include Pearly King, Pillar and Post – the first ever duo – Scissors and several more.
In the first edition, Candlestick, Scissors, Astronaut, Odd Socks, Prawn Cocktail and Pillar and Post took to the stage - with Candlestick, Astronaut and Pillar and Post dancing it out for survival.
Ultimately the judges chose to axe Astronaut, prompting the chants of 'Take it off, take it off', before the American actor revealed he was behind the mask.
When asked why he decided to take part, Jesse said: “I thought it would be fun because dance is something that really intimidates me so it's a fear that I wanted to face.
"This has been unbelievable, it's one of the most zany things I’ve ever done in my career but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself.”
Next Saturday the remaining characters will follow in the footsteps of tonight’s dancers as they head onto the iconic dancefloor.
This comes after Joel let slip a big detail about two of the celebrities, which could be key to viewers cracking the identity later on…
Speaking to The Mirror and other press at the ITV Autumn Entertainment Launch in west London, Joel teased: "Definitely there's some international stars! I can think of two right now that are so huge. I just couldn't believe they came over.
"I think now the restrictions have eased so there are more people coming over. There were definitely a few. I was like, oh my gosh. I was totally starstruck by these people and the fact they were there. It was amazing."
He added: "Even I had interactions with people the whole time. So I held their hand and hugged them or something and then after the reveal, I was like oh my gosh I was holding your hand and hugging you!"
Joel's favourite costume is Pearly King - and whilst they aren't the best dancer, they are "really enjoying" their experience, which the audience have also been enjoying too.
"I do think that Pearly King is my absolute favourite. They're really good and embrace the whole character. It's amazing and what makes this show wonderful is that it's not really in any way a talent show," he said.
"You can be an amazing singer or dancer, but Pearly King isn’t the best dancer by country mile but he's embracing it and courts the audience, he’s really enjoying it and I think that can get you really far."
He added: "The more you enjoy it, the more people enjoy watching you. It's really fun."
The Masked Dancer returns for more fancy footwork on ITV at 6.30pm on Saturdays
