Peter Crouch admits he nearly suffered an injury while copying contestants

The zany Saturday night TV show The Masked Dancer is back for yet another series of shocks.

Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Obi Mabuse will be joined by footballing legend Peter Crouch on the show – with the former England striker sitting on the judging panel for this season in the place of touring comedian Mo Gilligan.

But the star has found out that his signature ‘Robot’ celebration that he used during his playing career is less intense than the requirements for the smash-hit show, admitting he nearly injured his hamstring while copying one of the contestants.

While speaking to The Sun about his latest venture, he admitted that he had almost pulled a hamstring when attempting to copy a contestant in doing the splits.

He added that the show has completely taken over his life despite having many other business outings.

The striker said: ‘I didn’t realise quite how serious I’d be taking it.

‘It’s taken over my life a bit because I’m constantly thinking wherever I am, ‘Who’s the Prawn?

Strenuous: The former striker has found out that his signature ‘Robot’ celebration that he used during his playing career is less intense than the requirements for the smash-hit show

New team: Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Obi Mabuse will join Peter and host Joel Dommett on the show

‘Even now in the back of my mind I am sitting thinking I might have guessed one of them, and now I’m thinking of things that relate the clues to this particular person.’

He concluded that despite a storied career including cup finals and Premier League clashes, his wife Abbey Clancy and four children seem more interested in clues to the mystery singer show.

Peter is stepping in for comedian Mo Gilligan who is currently touring the US.

This season of the Masked Dancer will feature a duo named Pillar and Post for the first time – with elaborate dance routines planned for the anonymous pair.

The spin off to the Masked Singer has run for one series so far – but captivated audiences so much that it was recommissioned for a second.

The show’s judges are now becoming more attuned to the clues offered about dancer identities.

Peter admitted that he needs to write them down, though, as he is the newcomer to the group.

New show: The spin off to the Masked Singer has run for one series so far – but captivated audiences so much that it was recommissioned for a second

His fellow judges said that Crouch has a tendency to go down a rabbit hole based on one clue while trying to guess.

He told the Sun that the he is having a great time on the show but fellow judge Jonathan Ross says they can’t wait to have comedian Mo Gilligan return.

He added that the appeal of the show is the lack of ‘meanness’ that characterises other TV talent shows.

The show’s professional dancer judge Oti Mabuse said that the standard of dancing has improved for the second season of the popular prime-time show.

The show will begin its second series on Saturday 3rd September at 6.30pm on ITV.

ITV’s The Voice and The Masked Dancer are set to go head-to-head with BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in a fierce ratings war, it has been reported.

ITV is reportedly bringing out its most popular shows in an attempt to steal some viewers from the much-loved dancing show which attracts fans every autumn.

The Mirror claims that ITV ‘rolled over’ last year in the face of Strictly’s popularity, choosing to air game shows and quizzes to win over viewers instead.

Battle: ITV’s The Voice and The Masked Dancer are set to go head-to-head with BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing (pictured) in a fierce ratings war it has been reported

But now when Strictly airs on Saturday nights it will face The Masked Dancer at 6.30pm followed by The Voice UK – which originally aired on BBC before moving to ITV in 2017.  

The Voice – which stars judges Tom Jones and Anne-Marie – pulls in around four million viewers. 

ITV announced their ‘jam-packed’ autumn TV schedule earlier this week as the busy period looms.  

ITV and BBC have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. 

Ratings: ITV is reportedly bringing out its most popular shows in an attempt to steal some viewers from the much-loved dancing show which attracts fans every autumn (The Voice is pictured)