The Masked Singer: Who is Pharaoh? The surprising celebrity identity is revealed

5 January 2020, 13:00 | Updated: 23 December 2020, 11:07

The Masked Singer has taken America by storm, and it's now entertaining UK fans with its amazing twist on the TV talent show format.

Originally a South Korean show, The Masked Singer features celebrities singing in head-to-toe costumes and face masks, which hide their true identities from other contestants, the panelists, and even the audience.

The Masked Singer: What is the new bonkers celebrity ITV talent show?

Essentially, they all look like football mascots singing, but we have no idea who they are until they're eliminated.

As each episode passes, we'll look at the theories and clues behind each mask, including:

1. Who is the Pharaoh?

   In episode 2, Pharaoh teased that he:

   - May play guitar

   - A bit of a rebel

   - Used to see the Queen on a 'daily basis' and wants to 'stamp' out the competition

   - Likes to shake up the 'status quo'

   - His previous employment was a piece of furniture

   Guesses from fans and judges included Brian May, Alan Johnson and Ed Balls.

   After being eliminated in episode 2, it was revealed that Pharaoh was...

   Alan Johnson!

   

   The former Home Secretary was somehow convinced to take part in the ITV show, performing 'Walk Like an Egyptian' by Bangles.

2. Who are the other contestants?

   The full list of Masked Singers are:

   - Butterfly (revealed as Patsy Palmer in episode 1)

   - Pharaoh (revealed as Alan Johnson in episode 2)

   - Tree

   - Octopus

   - Fox

   - Duck

   - Chameleon

   - Queen Bee

   - Hedgehog

   - Unicorn

   - Monster

   - Daisy

3. What is The Masked Singer?

   

   The Masked Singer | Starts This January on ITV

   12 celebrities compete on the show anonymously, all wearing costumes, over 10 episodes.

   Each episode, some of the competitors are paired off into face-off competitions, where each will perform a song of their choice.

   From each face-off, the panelists and live audience vote. The winner is safe for the week, while the loser is put up for elimination.

   At the end of the episode, the losers of the face-offs are then put to the earlier votes of the panelists, to discover who will head home. The eliminated singer then takes off their mask to reveal their real identity.

   Hints are also given to each masked singer's identity during the show. The panelists are given time to guess the identity of the singer after the performance, and ask them a single question.

   In the US, the likes of Donny Osmond, Seal, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and LaToya Jackson have taken part.

4. Who will appear in the UK version and when does it start?

   Former I'm a Celebrity star Joel Dommett will host the UK version, which launches on ITV on Saturday, January 4 at 7pm. The second episode airs on Sunday, January 5 at 8pm.

   The four judges will be: Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora, Davina McCall, and Ken Jeong from the US version.