Jennifer Saunders reveals she ‘began studying music’ in a bid to beat her fellow Masked Singer panellist Jonathan Ross

Jennifer Saunders was so determined to beat her Masked Singer co-star Jonathan Ross on the show’s panel that she has began studying music aimed at teenagers.

The veteran comedian, 65, has revealed she spent weeks listening to FKA Twigs, Doja Cat and Cardi B as she prepared for her appearance on Saturday.

Ms Saunders, 65, is standing in for Rita Ora on the ITV show and will be dressed as a head teacher for the school disco themed night. 

She told MailOnline: ‘I’m going to be strict, very strict. There’ll be no messing about, there’ll be detentions thrown out, willy-nilly.

‘I’m keeping them all in check! I’m hoping to dredge up a couple of jokes and keep Jonathan in check. I’m very competitive. I’ll be furious if I haven’t guessed the person who takes it off at the end. Furious.’

Jennifer Saunders, 65, was so determined to beat her Masked Singer co-star Jonathan Ross on the show’s panel that she has began studying music aimed at teenagers

Jennifer continued: ‘I’ve got pages of notes already. I’ve been listening to modern music. I’ve been listening to one of my favourites. 

‘Oh, I’m all over it. I know all my gossip columny stuff. I don’t know everyone who’s in Hollyoaks, I can’t claim that. I’d like to, but I just can’t watch everything.’

Ms Saunders, who created French and Saunders with friend Dawn French, said that she ‘refuses’ to have fun with co-star Jonathan Ross – and even took a swipe at him, describing has a lesser celebrity than him.

Admitting that she had never been to one of his parties, she said: ‘ We don’t hang out with the hoi polloi. We have legends parties.’

Show sources say that there is ‘huge excitement about Ms Saunders appearing on the ITV show.

She will join Ross who will be dressed as a janitor, Davina McCall who will portray a PE teacher and Mo Gilligan who will be a ‘jock.’

Meanwhile, the programme’s host Joel Dommett will be a geography teacher.

The veteran comedian has revealed she spent weeks listening to FKA Twigs , Doja Cat and Cardi B as she prepared for her appearance on Saturday as she replaces Rita Ora (Rita and Johnathan pictured on the show in 2021)

The veteran comedian has revealed she spent weeks listening to FKA Twigs , Doja Cat and Cardi B as she prepared for her appearance on Saturday as she replaces Rita Ora (Rita and Johnathan pictured on the show in 2021)

She told MailOnline: 'I'm going to keep Jonathan in check. I¿m very competitive. I¿ll be furious if I haven¿t guessed the person who takes it off at the end. Furious'

She told MailOnline: ‘I’m going to keep Jonathan in check. I’m very competitive. I’ll be furious if I haven’t guessed the person who takes it off at the end. Furious’

Ms Ora, 33, had to pull out of some episodes of the upcoming season due to work commitments.

Speaking of her absence, she said: ‘I’m gutted to be missing some episodes on the new season but keeping my seat warm are some great guest panellists who I’m told are also super competitive and will keep the others on their toes, especially Jonathan! Bring it on.’

Dionne Warwick, Alexander Armstrong and Strictly’s Shirley Ballas have already been unmasked on the show.

Maypole, Owl, Bubble Tea, Cricket, Dippy Egg, Bigfoot, Piranha, Air Fryer and Eiffel Tower are all still left to be identified.

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