The Masked Singer is back next month with a major format change

This weekend,  ITV viewers will see a brand-new series of The Masked Singer – and for the first time, the opening two episodes will showcase a complete band, with the panel tasked with identifying the lead vocalist. This comes after one This Morning star was unveiled as the winner of the Christmas special over the weekend.

Kicking things off will be Goldfish alongside their band No Trout, followed by Emperor Penguin and the Antarctic Funkeys in the second episode.

Programme detectives Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Maya Jama will additionally need to uncover the identities of 12 other masked performers throughout the new series, which launches with four reveals during the double-header next weekend, reports the Mirror.

This series’ characters include Moth, Can of Worms, Red Panda, Conkers, Arctic Fox, Toastie, Monkey Business, Yak, Sloth, Gargoyle, Disc Jockey and Teabag.

Presenter Joel Dommett revealed that introducing a Masked Singer band for the first time had been enjoyable.

There’s big changes being made on The Masked Singer (Image: ITV)

He said: “We’ve never done it before and it just gives it so much energy in the room. Also the lead singer of the band is someone we have to guess.

“They’ve mixed the whole first two episodes and it has this energy which is really great. Also those first two unmaskings are pretty substantial.

“What I love about this show is if it’s funny, it’s funny, and if it’s not funny, I find it funny.”

Jonathan described the seventh series as action-packed, commenting: “It has more unmaskings than ever before, there is so much more happening.

There are 12 new characters taking to the stage as a new series of ITV’s Masked Singer kicks off in (Image: ITV/Bandicoot TV)

“We can barely keep up. Every week, we’ve barely got time to guess one and the mask’s off! You’re going to have a lot more fun playing at home.”

He praised Joel’s comedic brilliance: “Joel’s jokes are the best in this series that they have ever been. He has some great puns. We’ve all known each other for so long we’re relaxed and we’re having a great time.”

Davina described the series as feeling “fresh”, adding: “We’ve got some new ideas and additions that keep us on our toes – it’s got a really good pace to it.”

Mo revealed he was invited to join one of the performers: “I feel like we get to move around a lot more this series – I get to be on the stage with someone and that was weird. Some of the characters might be coming up to us on the panel as well.”

The Masked Singer is returning to ITV at the start of January 2026 (Image: ITV/BANDICOOTTV)

Maya declared her all-time favourite character was the Can of Worms from the forthcoming series: “The character raps and I was so impressed by the time keeping and the rapping ability of a massive can of worms,” she explained. “They don’t miss a beat.”

The quartet all commented on Joel’s revamped wardrobe this season, featuring bold new ensembles including jumpsuits.

Past celebrities who’ve taken part in the entertaining programme include Dionne Warwick, Prue Leith, Daisy May Cooper, Glenn Hoddle, Mel Giedroyc, Sir Lenny Henry and Lorraine Kelly.