The Masked Singer 2026 contestants: Who are the characters?

The Masked Singer 2026 is in full swing on ITV, with four unmaskings having already shocked the nation.

The show returned to our screens last night (Saturday 24th January) for another bonkers instalment, with celebrities once again taking to the stage in costume to perform songs and drop clues about their concealed identities, while the judges were left to figure out their identities.

Judge Maya Jama, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, and Davina McCall were joined last night by guest judge Perrie Edwards, as Toastie, Red Panda, Monkey Business, Arctic Fox, Can of Worms, Conkers, Moth, and Sloth all took to the stage.

In a big twist, the unmaskings were doubled, with two celebrities behind the furry masks being revealed.

Wondering who was unmasked and what clues about the remaining celebrities were revealed? Read on to find out more about each of The Masked Singer 2026 characters.

The Masked Singer 2026 contestants: Who are the characters?

• Moth
• Can of Worms
• Red Panda
• Conkers
• Toastie
• Sloth
• Arctic Fox - Unmasked as Anton Du Beke
• Monkey Business - Unmasked as Kate Nash
• Gargoyle - Unmasked as Marcella Detroit
• Yak - Unmasked as Johnny Rotten
• Disc Jockey - Unmasked as Alex Jones
• Teabag - Unmasked as Professor Green

Scroll on for the initial clues about this year's characters.

This article will be updated regularly with the latest clues, guesses and songs as the season continues.

Moth

They’re a LARVA not a fighter.... it’s Moth!

Songs:

• Week 1 - Hero by Mariah Carey
• Week 3 - Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
• Week 5 - Hero by Mariah Carey

Clues:

• "Good evening, audience. Is this mic on? You’re in for a show. I’m here, and I’m ready to feed on the sweet nectar of this journey. It’s time for me to face the music."
• "From the wild larvae to a confident Moth, I’ve grown bigger than my wildest dreams! And between us a successful Moth-dition must have three things - Grace, Power and Presence."
• "In my past, I served in the West, until my time was up and I returned to my rightful field. And that place is lighting candles with some good background music, snug as a bug."
• "There’s nothing like flying high for an elevated performance, but what goes up must come down. Tonight, I’ll spread my wings but cover who I really am!"
• Items included a carrot, a candlestick and a framed picture of Ronnie Corbett.
• Further items included tulips, a carrot, imagery of a blue jay and some abstract shapes.
• "I've found my way through the darkness and reclaimed what is mine."
• "Let's Be Free and Dance."

Guesses:

• Jessie J
• Molly Ringwald

Can of Worms

The early bird catches the... Can of Worms!

Songs:

• Week 1 - Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast
• Week 3 - Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr
• Week 5 - Eyes Wide Shut by Tinie Tempah

Clues:

• "Hey ya’ll, I’m Can of Worms, and I’m worming my way into the competition! Bring on the soul."
• "How awesome to be on The Masked Singer, it’s just the beginning, and I never wanna leave. Now, do you wanna see what I’ve been up to? Here’s my patch, isn’t it rad? All of these beautiful things I’ve grown. As a worm, I have green fingers. It runs in the family, like it was written in the stars."
• "The first tip from me, you must water your plants as much as possible. I mean, not all the time put that watering can down and relax with a bookworm."
• "Get, out, dude! It really sucks when I have to wrestle with wildlife. They’re famous for hunting my juicy fruits."
• "If I can come out on top tonight, like I did with my zucchini at the trade show last year, I’ll be stoked. Worms crossed!"
• Items included a plate of pastries and a framed picture of James May and Richard Hammond.
• Mention of "green fingers", hints at gardening or nature.
• "Wrestling with wildlife."
• I'm an "early bird".
• Visuals involving pastries and a bakery.

Guesses:

• Kaleb Cooper
• Robbie Williams
• Paul Whitehouse
• Ben Shephard

Conkers

They came, they saw, they CONKER-ed… it's Conkers!

Songs:

• Week 1 - Nice to Meet You by Myles Smith
• Week 2 - Jump Around by House of Pain
• Week 5 - Magical by Benson Boone

Clues:

• "Ah! You gave me a startle there, my liege. Tis I, Conkers, ready to enter the fray."
• "If you’re looking for a knight to remember, you've come to the right place."
• "Whoa! Must remember to look where I’m going. I’ve shown this Conker, is up for any challenge, even if I’d rather hide in my shell. "
• "With these spikes, I can Lancelot and most of the time, I hit the mark. I suppose we’re all playing a part here, aren’t we?"
• "It doesn’t take much to put a fright in this knight, although ghosts don’t scare me."
• "Is the stage set? Right, it’s time for me to put my training to the test, for honour, hope and glory!"
• "I can't believe it! This Conker conquered my first Masked Singer skirmish."
• "I've thrown down the gauntlet. It would be very embarrassing to back out now."
• "I'm a knight of passion for feasting, fighting and for f-facing my fears, of which there's rather a lot. Have I piqued your interest?"
• "Oh, no. It could only be downhill from here. I can't be a knight who says 'no, no' to quests."
• "I'm no stranger to secret scandals and shock reveals. What drama awaits in this tournament?"
• "Having weathered the storm early on, I'm ready to level the playing field and smite mine enemies. Once my knees stop knocking."
• "This Conker has played many parts, but I'm not looking for credit."
• "Now is not the time to lose heart, Conkers. The heat is on. Time to deliver a tremendous performance – hopefully."

Guesses:

• Kiell Smith-Bynoe
• Mark Ronson
• Usain Bolt
• Martin Freeman

Toastie

They’re an absolute SNACK. It’s Toastie!

Songs:

• Week 1 - Walk This Way by Run DMC
• Week 2 - Run to You by Whitney Houston
• Week 5 - Beautiful Things by Benson Boone

Clues:

• "Oi, Oi, it’s me, Toastie. Where should I start? I’ve faced some stern critics in the past, but this Toastie doesn’t melt under pressure."
• "This wasn’t handed to me on a plate, you know. I started grafting pretty much fresh out the bakery."
• "I’m not your typical Toastie. Ok, my gooey cheese might look a little messy, but sometimes, it’s good to let it all hang out!"
• "I’m not about to put on any airs and graces. I’ve worked with some rebellious types, but I’m a rebel with a cause - a few causes, in fact. Now I’m ready for a slice of the action."
• Items included a diamond, someone dressed as a clown and a calendar revealing the date 20th August.
• Oi, Oi, it's me, Toastie, back again, mate. I was chuffed to bits with my first Masked Singer performance."
• "Getting ready to grill this Toastie, are you? Listen, don't get ahead of yourself, sunshine. You're still a broad way off getting in between these slices."
• "You might think I've got more front than Blackpool, but it's time to change this narrative."
• "Reckon you've got this Toastie wrapped up? I'm not ready to be typecast."
• "Rough and ready, I may be, but I'm the real thing, and I can even hold my own with royalty."
• "I'm definitely giving you some food for thought. Let's stop faffing about, I've got a performance for you to sink your teeth into."
• "A really strong Toastie uses cheddar, because that puts hair on your chest."
• "If you need backup, I've got you covered."
• "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Not that I've ever taken any notice of that, walking on burnt toast."

Guesses:

• Rebecca Ferguson
• Emeli Sandé
• Fergie
• Craig Phillips

Sloth

Always hanging around.... it's Sloth!

Songs:

• Week 1 - Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder
• Week 3 - Tainted Love by Gloria Jones/Soft Cell
• Week 5 - Green Green Grass by George Ezra

Clues:

• "Good morning, workout warriors. Are you ready to get moving, grooving and fitness improving? Well, you’ve come to the right Sloth!"
• "You should have seen the state of me before - sluggish, sleepy, your typical Sloth, really. Well, I’ve got news for you. Now I’m bringing fitness, fashion and fierceness to the competition."
• "I know how to represent in the gym and on the world stage. Don’t worry, I’m no muscle menace. You won’t want to dodge these moves. Join my squat squad, anchor those feet and don’t keel over balance."
• "It’s important each exercise has a corresponding stretch. So it’s especially vital you do them. Anyway, enough of the warm-up, I’m ready to absolutely crush it!"
• Items included an alarm clock, snooker cues and handcuffs.
• Shots of recording a workout video, as well as references to dancing and cricket.
• "I like to dream big. Sometimes it likes to have your head in the clouds."
• "Life can be hectic so outside the dance studio I like to relax."

Guesses:

• Joe Wicks
• Sam Thompson
• Alexander Armstrong
• Chris Moyles

Red Panda

They’re not black and white - but they are red all over… it’s Red Panda!

Red Panda's performance was edited out of the premiere episode of The Masked Singer 2026 due to the song choice being deemed insensitive following the nightclub fire in Switzerland.

An ITV spokesperson said: "In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda's performance on The Masked Singer in tonight's programme owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song."

Songs:

• Week 3 - Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf
• Week 5 - Big Girls Don't Cry by The Jersey Boys

Clues:

• “Hi, I’m Red Panda, furry firefighter extraordinaire reporting for duty… I take my role in fire and rescue very seriously…”
• Items included a piece of gold and a red envelope with "5 Rio Street, Birmingham" written on it.
• Further items included a box of dummies and a shopping list with hairstyle, sun cream, pink apples and pears on it.
• "I must admit I find goodbyes quite hard.
• "I'm just happy I didn't fluff my lines."
• "Being on stage is nothing like fighting fire, that takes me all over the globe. Even if South Africa".
• "My work gets smoky at times, so I never forget my goggles."

Guesses:

• Tom Fletcher
• Sean Bean

Former The Masked Singer contestants

Arctic Fox -unmasked as Anton Du Beke

SNOW-body does it better.... it’s Arctic Fox!

Monkey Business - unmasked as Kate Nash

They’re CHIMP-ly the best… it’s Monkey Business!

Yak - unmasked as Johnny Rotten

Not one to toot their own horn.... it's Yak!

Disc Jockey - unmasked as Alex Jones

They’re in it to SPIN it… it’s Disc Jockey!

Teabag - unmasked as Professor Green

Time to spill the Tea.... it's teabag!

Gargoyle - unmasked as Marcella Detroit

Are you craving to meet this carving.... it's Gargoyle!

The Masked Singer returns on Saturday 24th January at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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