The Masked Singer UK’s Rat was revealed as Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas during Saturday’s episode of the singing contest.
Panellist Mo Gilligan believed it could have been Coronation Street actress and West End star Claire Sweeney, whilst Davina McCall thought it was Killing Eve starJodie Comer.
Olly Murs incorrectly guessed former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona and Jonathan Ross, who is good friends with Shirley, speculated that it was Jodie Whittaker of Doctor Who fame.
Talking about the panel’s guesses Shirley told host Joel Dommett: ‘I was very flattered actually because I just don’t sing at all and some of the people that you were saying, was like wow!
‘It was one of the best times of my life. It was way out of my comfort zone and I totally loved it.’
The Masked Singer UK ‘s Rat was revealed as Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas during Saturday’s episode of the singing contest
Speaking after the show, Shirley said: ‘I thought the guesses from the panel were actually rather spectacular. They compared me to actors and singers, all sorts, and never got any of the clues!’
Referring to panellist Jonathan Ross, Shirley continued: ”I was very surprised about Jonathan. I mean, Jonathan’s a friend of mine. I’ve been on his shows and we’ve talked about Kilimanjaro, some of those clues he should have known and he didn’t get it!
‘They were so off, they called me some amazing singers and actors! I’ll take that!’
Dance champion Shirley had given several clues to her real identity during her time on the series.
She noted she had ‘crossed paths with danger’ after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief in 2019, whilst the costume’s tattoos were a nod to the body art she has inked across her behind.
She said: ‘I’ve got tattoos all over my backside and then I tattooed my boyfriend’s name on it – I’m not sure that one was a good idea. Bruno [Tonioli] used to make me show him them!’
Shirley then gave her first unmasked performance of Nelly the Elephant before exiting the stage for the final time.
The TV star had to go head-to-head with Dippy Egg in a sing-off and the mystery celebrity made it through to the next stage of the show, where they will compete with Owl, Air Fryer, Bubble Tea, Eiffel Tower, Piranha, Maypole, Cricket and Bigfoot to stay in the competition.
Shirley’s exit comes after ‘Pointless’ host Alexander Armstrong was unmasked as Chicken Caesar in week two, whilst ‘I’ll Never Fall In Love Again’ singer Dionne Warwick was unmasked as Weather in the first episode of the new series.
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