BEHIND THE MASK
The Masked Singer returns as filming kicks off for new series
The hit show is filmed in the same location as Dancing On Ice
THE Masked Singer is about to make a huge return as filming for the next series is about to kick off.
Joel Dommett is set to take to TV screens once again to front the sixth series of the hit ITV competition.
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A host of secret star names are set to take to the stage once again in the ultimate primetime guessing game.
It turns out, recording for the series of The Masked Singer is just weeks away.
It has been revealed that filming will begin at Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire, the same location as Dancing On Ice.
The likes of Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Jonathan Ross will return as production begins on September 24.
READ MORE ON THE MASKED SINGER
Audience tickets for the shoot are still available via the website.
Spaces are still available for the September 25th, October 1st, and October 9th.
Filming for the show will take place across eight dates after the commercial broadcaster confirmed there will be another Christmas special.
Four celebrities will once again battle it out in front of the star-studded panel for the holiday crown.
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Last year saw McFly singer and guitarist Danny Jones storm to victory as the Piranha.
He beat out the likes of Alex Brooker and noughties star Lemar after Davina McCall correctly guessed the identity of the star name.
Marc Almond: Turning Down 'Huge' Masked Singer Offer
This comes after The Sun revealed that there will be a huge change to the panel for the upcoming series.
Last year saw the likes of Nicole Scherzinger, Olly Murs and Jennifer Saunders fill in for Rita Ora on the show as she had other filming commitments in the US.
Rita has been a judge on the celebrity competition programme since its inception in 2020.
Instead, Love Island host Maya Jama is poised to join the panel after Rita Ora quit the show after five series due to a mystery film project.
Maya Jama will be a massive hit with viewers but can she replace iconic Rita Ora?
By Joshua Rom
IT'S CLEAR that The Masked Singer is a huge asset to the ITV schedule. From the reaction of viewers at home, it seems that the competition is the epitome of primetime Saturday night telly at it's best.
Alongside the likes of Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent, the guessing game is one of the top three entertainment shows for the broadcaster as up to seven million people tune in to watch.
When we look at the show, we have a real mix of personalities involved. Joel Dommett's unique style as a host is carefully balanced by the sharp and witty panel of judges. We have singing star power in the form of Rita Ora, veterans of the business in the form of Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross and comedy value from Mo Gilligan.
The dynamics of the panel work perfectly as Jonathan would take sarcastic jibes at Rita as Davina and Mo would be in hysterics
Last series Rita was forced to take time of the show as she had other commitments across the pond. Huge names such as Nicole Scherzinger, Olly Murs and Jennifer Saunders took her place.
Rita's star is only on the rise in Hollywood and she's set to star in a new film alongside the likes of legends such as Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx in Tin Soldier. This is alongside her marriage to Academy Award winner Taika Waititi.
Clearly not happy with a part-time panelist and a rotating roster of guest judges, ITV bosses have chosen another name to take her place as Love Island star Maya Jama will join the panel. We don't need to be worried about Rita as she will still be on the US edition.
Maya is a clear favourite amongst telly fans as they love to see her front a show like Love Island and let's be honest, she's the perfect fit for it. She is stunning to watch, she's always on-trend, and very much appeals to the young fan base that flocks to the ITV2 dating show.
But The Masked Singer is a different show on a different channel. Maya is no doubt well versed in the world of television, but she will be surrounded by stars on the panel with decades more experience on air and with more universal appeal. Rita also has huge star power thanks to all her work in the music industry with several hits under her name, something which - despite her undoubted recognition as a star presenter - Maya just does not have.
By some, this could be considered as a risky move for ITV. Especially as networks fight to retain the loyalty of viewers in an age of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+. With such drastic replacement in the panel and the inevitable shift in dynamics, the show is clearly about to change.
A TV insider said: "This is a huge deal for Maya, who’s now one of telly’s fastest- rising stars. It puts her in front of a huge Saturday night audience every week on a show watched by everyone from kids to pensioners.
"Up to now she’s had a following which is very young due to Love Island, but signing for The Masked Singer would take her career into a whole new league."
Rita previously appeared on the panel of The Masked Singer US when she filled in for Nicole Scherzinger.
The former X Factor judge was in the London production of musical Sunset Boulevard.
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An industry insider said: “Rita’s got a huge film commitment this year, so her team are in talks about schedules at the moment and trying to work it out.”
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Five series of The Masked Singer are available to watch on ITVX.
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