INTERVIEWS
The judges and presenters of the hit BBC series share what’s in store for us on the one-off Christmas episode of the show
JOEL: ‘I watch it in a different way now I’m a dad’
Host Joel Dommett became a dad for the first time in September to son Wilde with his wife of four years, Hannah Cooper. And he says the new series of The Masked Singer is his “best” series because he’s viewing it as a parent.
“It’s certainly the best, just because of my child arriving,” Joel says. “I feel like it’s all so joyous and fun. I’m viewing it all in an entirely different way. I think that’s what happens when you have children anyway, and the fact that kids in the audience love it so much. I think it puts that entirely into a new context for me and I just love being a part of it.”
Joel – who has been the host since the show launched in the UK in January 2020 – also believes the costumes on the new series have reached new heights of brilliance.
The 38-year-old reveals, “They are the best costumes ever. If they don’t make you smile, well, get out! Air Fryer is unbelievably silly. It’s so liberating to be a part of a show where, first of all, people really enjoy it and also, from my point of view, any idea I have, it’s fair game.”
DAVINA: ‘It’ll be stunning and magical!’
She made The Masked Singer history last year with the most amount of correct guesses, but judge Davina McCall says she’s lost her touch. The mum-of-two admits her secret to guessing has “gone”, adding, “I don’t like it when I know 100 per cent who it is. It actually takes the fun out of it for me.”
The 56-year-old TV presenter – who’s dating hairdresser Michael Douglas – says she was surprised to feel emotional while on the judging panel.
“I think there’s so many emotional aspects to this show that I wasn’t really prepared for,” she explains.
“I knew it was going to be fun and I knew it was going to be a bit ridiculous, but I hadn’t factored in what it feels like to watch little kids in the studio and seeing how invested they are.”
JONA THAN:
Judge Jonathan Ross’ money is on Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds being unveiled as one of the masked celebrities this year.
Telly presenter Jonathan, 63, argues the actor is spending a lot of time in North Wales as he’s co-owner of Wrexham FC and that his appearance on the show could be plausible.
He says, “My best guess this year is Ryan Reynolds. He’s in Wrexham a lot of the time now. You never know. I mean, he’s up for a laugh!”
RITA: ‘I’m back with better de
