The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett says he works hard to not give the game away - and insists viewers are still in the dark this year when it comes to TV’s greatest guessing contest.
ITV ’s rising star Joel, 36, told the Mirror that this year’s final is the best yet and going into this week’s show where there will be a double 'reveal' with two celebrities unmasked, there is all to play for at home.
He said: "Some people are saying online, and I think I agree, they have made it harder obviously on purpose because in the last few series people were getting names maybe a little bit early.
"There are a few names that people are definitely not getting. I’m not seeing these names at all.
"The final is amazing and one of the names I am very excited about."
Since the show began in January 2020 it has become must-see family entertainment with the likes of Joss Stone, Lenny Henry and Sue Perkins taking part belting out tunes in incredible costumes.
Discussing the frenzy around the show and how often he gets asked to give the game away, Joel said: "I do get asked all the time. Put it this way, I got a quote yesterday from an electrician and he said 'I’ll do it for half price if you tell me who Panda is'.
"It is not worth it for me but that is what I am dealing with."
Once the series was filmed earlier this year, Joel says he avoids slipping up by banning himself from mentioning the celebrity names in any conversation once filming ends, including when he gets home to his wife Hannah.
He said: "I try as a rule to never say the name of anyone who is in the mask once I have left the studio. I try to block the show out of my mind.
"Then when it is on I watch it with Hannah and sometimes if it is an amazing, amazing thing I might have told her something about it but generally it is best I keep it from her and she can play along.
"Then when she says a name, I say to her the same thing I say to everyone which is 'hmmm….interesting guess'."
The filming process was more enjoyable for Joel, the singers and the judges this year as it is the first series where they could have a full audience in the studio for filming which meant the singers had a big crowd to react with.
Joel also says judge Jonathan Ross has "stepped up to the plate" and taken it more seriously this year when it comes to guessing the names.
Chat show veteran Wossy sits alongside Rita Ora, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall on the panel trying to work out who is performing.
"I feel like Jonathan went up a notch and gave less ridiculous names and actually zoned in on the clues and he was really surprised everyone this year.
"He delivered. I think Jonathan was like the funniest he’s ever been on the show and I thought he gave the best answers for the people on the show and we all love working with him."
Turning to his own career, he says presenting the National TV Awards in September last year has given him more confidence as he continues to be in demand as a popular TV presenter alongside the likes of Ant and Dec and Dermot O’Leary.
He said: "I am getting to the point where I feel more confident in my own abilities. I think the NTAs really changed things for me. I was like, Oh, I feel like I can do this.
"The next step is really difficult. I have been going up and up a ladder, to take this metaphor further or too far, now I have to get onto the roof and that is the hardest part.
"Figuring out the next step is hard. I have always said getting on TV is the easy part and then staying there is the hard part.
"You look at Ant and Dec or Dermot O’Leary or Bradley Walsh who have all been there for 30 years and it is an incredible achievement and that is my next goal, longevity.
"I doubt myself every step of the way, but that is life."
*The Masked Singer continues on Saturday night at 7pm on ITV. The Masked Singer Tour runs during the Easter Holidays in April, for more information go to www.themaskedsingerliveuk.com
