The Masked Singer UK finished on Saturday night with Charlie Simpson's Rhino crowned the winner. The show had returned on New Year's Day 2023 on ITV with 12 new characters dressed up and competing to win. This year the full line up of characters was Fawn, Jacket Potato, Piece of Cake, Pigeon, Rhino, Rubbish, Cat & Mouse, Ghost, Jellyfish, Knitting, Otter and Phoenix.
The show saw a line-up of stars conceal their identities in an attempt to stump viewers and the panel alike as they sing on stage under a guise. In each episode the characters dropped a string of clues leading to many theories from fans at home at the judging panel, which was made up of Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan, until they are unmasked and the person underneath is revealed.
Here we bring you details of who was unmasked each week.
READ MORE: The Masked Singer UK season 4 start date, costumes, judges and first clues
Week eight - Rhino as Charlie Simpson, Phoenix as Ricky Wilson and Fawn as Natalie Appleton
In the final of the The Masked Singer 2023, viewers watched as Natalie Appleton of All Saints was unveiled as Fawn, Phoenix as Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson and Rhino, the show's winner, as Busted lead singer Charlie Simpson.
He said after winning the show: "It was amazing to make it into the final. The whole thing seems like a bit of a blur looking back. I never expected to win to be honest but I just wanted to give it my best. I was very happy when Joel called my name. I have never been in a singing competition before so I found the whole thing quite surreal."
Summing up his experience in one song title, he said: "Once in a lifetime."
Ricky was the man behind Phoenix and said of his experience: "The nerves were some of the most intense I’ve had in years. I just really didn’t want to let Phoenix down.
"I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the David Tennant stuff and couldn’t wait to message him once it was revealed. I was so certain that they would see through the mask. Every wrong guess was a bonus."
Natalie Appleton, who was unmasked first on the show's finale, said: "I love the show. I’ve been watching since season one, including the American version!
"I like a challenge. I love to dress up and I do love to sing, so this show was the perfect match for me. I thought Fawn was so sweet, I absolutely loved her."
After being unmasked, she said: "I've had the best time. It's been amazing. I do recommend it."
Week seven - Jacket Potato as Richie Sambora and Jellyfish as Amber Riley
Week seven saw another double dumping with Jacket Potato revealed to be Richie Sambora and Jellyfish was Amber Riley. Bon Jovi guitarist Richie said: "I think we all want to win, but I had a good ride and I was glad to carry the torch for the amazing people that left before me. I had a great time."
He added: "From the moment I first saw Jack, I felt connected to the character I could become while playing him. It felt like the right fit! Who doesn’t love a potato?"
Glee star Amber Riley was the celebrity behind Jellyfish. She said: "I was nervous because I couldn't see very well and my balance was pretty off, and on top of the jet lag there was so much to juggle all at once. But I did it!"
Amber also couldn't believe some of the celebrities the judges guessed, which included Alesha Dixon, Jennifer Hudson and Halle Berry. Jonathan Ross however did guess correctly it was Amber. She said: "I thought they were way off with the guesses. It was kind of funny to be honest. I KNEW Jonathan Ross would get me though."
Week Six - Knitting as Claire Richards and Otter as Daisy May Cooper
The Masked Singer UK said goodbye to two contestants during the episode that aired on Saturday, February 4. Knitting was unmasked first after getting the least votes from the studio audience. Knitting was revealed to be Claire Richards from Steps. Many fans at home believed Claire was behind the mask with judges Davina McCall and Stephen Mulhern also guessing correctly.
"I thought you were going to get me from day one, I was so chuffed when you didn't," Claire told the panel, before adding: "I am a massive, massive fan of this show, I feel like a fan who has won a competition."
Next up presenters Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora, and Jonathan Ross, and guest judge Stephen Mulhern chose to save Fawn, sending Otter home. Joel Dommett first asked the panel who they thought was behind the mask with Mo guessing Daisy May Cooper and Jonathan guessing Mel Giedroyc. Otter was indeed comedian and actress Daisy May Cooper.
Daisy said she'd loved very minute of it but was "exhausted and relieved" to be unmasked. Explaining why she took part in the show, Daisy said: "I did this for my daughter Pip and because I needed the cash."
Week Five - Pigeon as Katherine Ryan
Week Five saw Pigeon unmasked as actress and comedian Katherine Ryan. She was pregnant at the time of filming.
Following her reveal, the 39-year-old explained that she had kept her involvement in the show a secret from her daughter Violet, saying: “You can’t tell my daughter anything because she’d spill it to her whole school so she’ll be finding out with everyone else. We watch the show together.”
Viewers were taken aback by Pigeon's identity. Read more about that here.
Week Four- Rubbish as Stephen Hendry
As Jacket Potato was saved it meant that Rubbish was unmasked as snooker player Stephen Hendry. He said he thought it was "obvious" who he was and that he picked the Rubbish costume as it is hard to dance in, meaning he didn't have to dance much. He also described the competition as "out of his comfort zone".
Before being unmasked Mo guessed Bradley Wiggins, Davina said Jay Blades, Rita went for Paddy McGuiness and Jonathan said Ronnie O'Sullivan. In one of his clues he repeated "again and again and again" seven times as he is seven times World Champions
Week Three - Martin and Shirlie Kemp as Cat and Mouse
The third celebrity - or should we say celebrities - to be voted off The Masked Singer were musical stars and husband and wife team Martin and Shirlie Kemp, who were unmasked as Cat and Mouse on Saturday, January 14.
The panel called their unveiling the "best reveal ever" and although the clues of the pair - who are the first duo to appear on the series - referenced everything from monochrome outfits (one of Shirlie's books is called 'In Black and White') to EastEnders - Martin (aka Cat appeared on the show between 1998 and 200) nothing led the judges to their true identity as they performed Get Happy by Judy Garland, and later There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back by Shawn Mednes.
Speaking of her time on the show, Shirlie said after being unmasked: "I’ve never done anything so nerve-wracking in my life" after joking the reason they went on the show was to embarras their son, Capital FM radio presenter, Roman Kemp.
Week Two- Lulu as Piece of Cake
Scottish songstress Lulu was unmasked as Piece of Cake in the second week of The Masked Singer. Upon being voted out, Lulu highlighted how she is a fan of the show.
The ‘well clue’ in her clues package referenced the way that the singer says the word in the song, ‘Shout’. There were also references to the fact that the 74-year-old sings the James Bond song, ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.
Following her unmasking, several people were shocked that the judges had failed to guess who it was.
Week One - Chris Kamara as Ghost
Just six of the 12 characters performed this week - they were Knitting, Jellyfish, Otter, Ghost, Cat & Mouse and Phoenix. Ghost went up against Otter in the competition and ended up in the bottom three after the audience vote.
When Ghost - who had performed Michael Buble's Save The Last Dance For Me - was voted off by the judges, he was revealed to be football hero Chris Kamara. The judges all failed to guess who he was.
Chris said he took part in the show for his grandchildren and said that he can't wait to see their reactions when they see it is him under the mask.
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