The Masked Singer Christmas special FIRST LOOK: Davina McCall sizzles in a red mini dress as she is joined by a new group of mystery stars

The Masked Singer is back and serving up a full sleigh-load of Christmas cheer.

Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and Mo Gilligan return to the judging panel as they try to uncover the celebs hidden behind the masks.

Joel Dommett is back on hosting duties, leading the chaos once again.

ITV is keeping the celebrity identities firmly under wraps, but first-look images have already given fans plenty to get excited about.

Davina fully embraces the festive spirit as she dazzles in an off-the-shoulder red mini dress.

This year’s wonderfully bizarre line-up of characters includes Figgy Pudding, Santa’s Sack, Mistletoe and Goose A-Laying.

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The Masked Singer is back and serving up a full sleigh-load of Christmas cheer with Jonathan Ross , Davina McCall (pictured), Maya Jama and Mo Gilligan returning to the judging panel

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ITV is keeping the celebrity identities firmly under wraps, but first-look images have already given fans plenty to get excited about

There are also appearances from Su Pollard in full fairy costume, alongside Lesley Joseph and Christopher Biggins.

It comes after it was reported that The Masked Singer is set for a massive shake-up with bands set to compete in a world first – with more unmaskings than ever before.

It appears the judging panel have a tougher task by way of two bands entering the contest.

According to The Sun, the first episode will see fans have to deduce the identity of Goldfish, who leads a group called No Trout.

The other band is known as Antarctic Funkeys, which is led by a masked character called Emperor Penguin.

At the moment, it is unknown whether Goldfish and Emperor Penguin appearing with bands hints at their identities.

A source told the publication: ‘As The Masked Singer heads into series seven in the UK bosses are keeping everyone on their toes by upping the ante on clues and throwing in even more unmaskings.

‘The franchise’s first ever bands are going to blow everyone’s minds – but viewers will be left scratching their heads as to whether the band is a big clue or not.

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Davina fully embraces the festive spirit as she dazzles in an off-the-shoulder red mini dress

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This year’s wonderfully bizarre line-up of characters includes Figgy Pudding

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Figgy Pudding with Lesley Joseph

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There’s also a character called Santa’s Sack

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Santa’s Sack is keeping their identity a secret

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Mistletoe is in the lineup

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Mistletoe pictured with Su Pollard dressed as a fairy

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Another character revealed is Goose A-Laying

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Goose A-Laying pictured with Christopher Biggins

‘The celebrities hiding inside might run solo in their real lives, or they might be part of some sort of group, or could even be exactly what it says on the tin – an actual frontman or woman.

‘Viewers are going to be more bamboozled than ever but it’s going to be lots of fun.’

Goldfish and Emperor Penguin are additional celebs joining the show’s 12-strong line-up of contestants.

Previously, host Joel Dommett teased in a trailer: ‘This season, we’ve got the most unmaskings ever.’

To this end, there will reportedly be four unmaskings across the first two episodes.

Meanwhile, series seven of The Masked Singer is set to hit viewers’ screens in January.

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The Masked Singer will be back on screens soon – and there will be big changes in store to the contest

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Series seven will launch in January, while fans can whet their appetite with an upcoming Christmas special

Viewers can whet their appetite before then with the Christmas special, which will be shown at 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1 and ITVX.

Series six concluded back in February, with stage and screen actress Samantha Barks named the winner, having competed as ‘Pufferfish’.

She fought off stiff competition from ‘Dressed Crab’ (Gregory Porter) and ‘Wolf’ (Wet Wet Wet’s Marti Pellow) to claim the victory.

Addressing everyone after her unveiling, Samantha said: ‘I’ve had the best time. Underneath the mask, I’ve been smiling so hard – it’s hurting my cheeks! It’s been amazing.’

Samantha added that after years of playing the role of Elsa in the West End production of Frozen, she loved taking on ‘new styles’ each week and noted she had ‘lived a double life’ during the ‘crazy experience’.

Pufferfish was the winner of The Masked Singer 2025 – and was revealed to be actress and singer Samantha Barks

The Masked Singer in huge shake-up as BANDS compete in world first for franchise

Speaking in an interview after being crowned champion, Samantha said of the experience: ‘You know what this has been the most fun experience. I’ve loved this whole secret spy life and I can’t believe it’s over and I can’t believe I won?

‘I loved Pufferfish. Now it’s gone I don’t know how to be without the Pufferfish anymore!’

Other contestants in series six included Sir Grayson Perry as ‘Kingfisher’ and EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy as ‘Bush’.

While ‘I Try’ hitmaker Macy Gray, 58, who performed as ‘Toad In The Hole’, infamously stormed off stage after landing in the bottom two with Bear – who was revealed as Example.