Vernon Kay had viewers of The Masked Singer fooled as he was unmasked during a special edition of the bonkers TV show. Before the return of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Sunday night (November 6), The two ITV programmes joined to celebrate I'm A Celeb heading back to Australia.
Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly returned Down Under after two years of their hit show being filmed in a castle in Wales. And former castle campmate Vernon Kay was crowned the winner of The Masked Singer’s I’m A Celebrity crossover special after being unmasked as Koala.
The TV presenter, 48, secured the title after delivering two lively performances and beating three other former I'm A Celeb campmates. Wearing a pink tutu and supported by a troupe of dancers dressed as gold stars, Vernon sang Could It Be Magic by Take That for his first song.
After making it through against Witchetty Grub, who ended up being unmasked as This Morning favourite Alison Hammond, Bolton-born Vernon returned for a second performance and gave a powerful version of If I Can Dream by Elvis Presley.
Vernon's performances ended up beating singer Sinitta, who came second after being unmasked as Kangaroo. And none of the judges correctly guessed it was Kay, with Mo Gilligan thinking it could have been TV presenter Nick Knowles and Rita Ora guessing it might have been TV personality Jake Quickenden.
After Davina asked if he'd told his family, including wife Tess Daly and their two daughter Phoebe, 18, and Amber, 13, he said: "No, they’re watching this as we’re doing this."
Vernon, who appeared in the ITV camp back in 2020, joked to host Joel Dommett he had lost 'five stone' after spending the day disguised in the enormous koala costume. "You know what’s weird, being in this costume all day. I’ve lost more weight in this than I did on I’m A Celebrity. I think I lost five stone."
After his unveiling, Jonathan Ross quipped: "Who knew you couldn’t sing," to which Vernon joked back that everyone knows now. Meanwhile, Rita bemoaned at not guessing his identity: "We're so stupid."
Taking to social media after his energetic performances, Vernon said: "WinnerWinner!! Well that was a fun time as a [koala]!! @maskedsingeruk #IAC special!!" He then shared a follow-up post showing what it is really like to be on the show.
He appeared in the back of a car, donning some kind of mask contraption to cover his entire head while wearing a black hoodie which read: "DON'T SPEAK TO ME," in bold white letters. Davina was quick to respond, writing: "People don’t believe the secrecy around this show … it’s INSANE."
Meanwhile, fans shared their surprise at Vernon being behind the adorable mask. @hayly_morley said: "Oh wow you was so amazing. I thought it was Jason Donovan then Nick knowles. YOU MUST POST THE REACTION OF YOUR KIDS!" @chris_whoooo wrote: "Never guessed it would be you in a million years."
@ciscoventurauk echoed: "You were absolutely fantastic - wouldn't have guessed it was you in a million years. Hope the family were as amazed as we were!" @janicegarne added: "Congratulations Vernon I never guessed you I thought it was Tony Hadley I didn't realize you had such a great voice well done."
READ NEXT:
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans 'know why' Tony Adams survived vote amid outrage over Ellie Simmonds' exit
- ITV I'm A Celebrity fans floored by Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver's age
- ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers spot 'disorientating' move before after sharing complaint minutes into show
- BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans point out same issue during Luke Evans' 'beautiful' performance
- Rochelle Humes says 'call me what you want' as she shows off new addition to home
