The Masked Dancer is returning to the UK for season 2. The popular ITV series, which is The Masked Singer's sister show, is returning to screens later this year for a second instalment.
ITV has so far confirmed the character line-up and judging panel for the series as the countdown to the start date officially begins. The show sees celebrities attempt to baffle, bewilder and bamboozle the panel and viewers alike with their fancy footwork and dazzling dance moves whilst covered from head to toe in extravagant and elaborate costumes.
Last year Olympic gymnast Louis Smith stormed to victory dressed as the wonderfully outlandish Carwash. In 2022, twelve new characters have joined the line-up, including the show's first-ever duo.
Read more: The Masked Dancer disguises revealed for series two by ITV
This year Joel Dommett will return as presenter while Peter Crouch will replace Mo Gilligan on the judging panel where he will be joined by Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Oti Mabuse.
The Masked Dancer UK 2022 start date
While an official start date for The Masked Dancer UK season 2 hasn't been announced, ITV has confirmed the 2022 series is part of their autumn schedule.
This is much later than the 2021 series, which aired in May 2021. However, it wasn't until December 2021 that ITV commissioned a second series of The Masked Dance consisting of eight episodes.
The Masked Dancer UK 2022 line-up
This series will include twelve new celebrities and in a show first a duo. The line-up includes:
Onomatopoeia
Tomato Sauce
Sea Slug
Scissors
Cactus
Astronaut
Pillar and Post
Candlestick
Pearly King
Pig
Prawn Cocktail
Odd Socks
The Masked Dancer UK 2022 judges
In this series footballing legend Peter Crouch will be joining the judging panel. With success both on and off the pitch and a host of famous friends to boot, could this give him the edge over his fellow panellists? Alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Oti Mabuse they will all be watching each performance closely as they try and work out which twinkle-toed celebrity is behind the mask.
The former England striker will be stepping in for comedian Mo Gilligan this season, with Mo unavailable owing to touring commitments. Mo will be back to join Peter, Davina, Jonathan and Oti on the panel for a surprise appearance during the run. The panel will also be joined by some very special guests throughout the series.
Presiding over this unique and unusual dance party will be Joel Dommett.
The Masked Dancer UK 2021 winner
Last series viewers saw Olympic gymnast Louis Smith storm to victory dressed as the wonderfully outlandish Carwash. The series also saw Radio DJ and presenter Zoe Ball unmasked as Llama, choreographer and TV judge Craig Revel Horwood as Knickerbocker Glory, Ice skating legend Christopher Dean as Beagle and presenter Kelly Brook as Frog.
How does The Masked Dancer UK work?
A synopsis reads: "Twelve brand new celebrities will be stepping onto the dancefloor to take on character alter egos as they trip the light fantastic in a bid to wow the panel and confuse with their moves. Clue packages will accompany every Masked Dancer to help the panel and at home detectives crack the case of who the famous faces behind the masks are.
"From ballet to ballroom, salsa to swing and everything in between, the mystery line-up will be dancing onto screens later this year on ITV and ITV Hub." For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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