The Masked Singer (British TV series) series 1

The first series of the British version of The Masked Singer premiered on ITV on 4 January 2020, and concluded on 15 February 2020. The series was won by singer Nicola Roberts as "Queen Bee", with comedian Jason Manford finishing second as "Hedgehog", and singer Katherine Jenkins placing third as "Octopus".

Production

On 31 May 2019, it was announced that ITV was producing a local version of the South Korean television singing competition King of Mask Singer, originally broadcast by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, for the British television market. The production is made by British television production company Bandicoot, part of the Argonon Group.

Panellists and host

Following the announcement of the series, it was confirmed by ITV that the panel would consist of presenter and comedian Jonathan Ross, television presenter Davina McCall, US actor and comedian Ken Jeong, and singer-songwriter and actress Rita Ora. It was also confirmed that Joel Dommett would host the show.
In episode five, Donny Osmond, who appeared as Peacock in the first American series, took Jeong's place on the panel. In episode six, Sharon Osbourne and daughter Kelly Osbourne, the latter of whom appeared as Ladybug in the second American series, filled in.

Episodes

Episode 5 (25 January)

Guest panelist: Donny Osmond

#	Stage name	Clue song	Identity	Result
1	Monster	"Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls		RISK
2	Fox	"On My Own" from Les Misérables		SAFE
3	Daisy	"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole	Kelis	OUT
4		"Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys		SAFE
5	Octopus	"Diamonds Are Forever" by Shirley Bassey		SAFE
6	Unicorn	"Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top		SAFE
7	Hedgehog	"Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis		SAFE
8	Duck	"Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2" by Stormzy ft. MNEK		SAFE

Episode 6 (1 February)

Group number: "High Hopes" by Panic! at the Disco
Guest panelists: Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne

#	Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Fox	"Firework" by Katy Perry		RISK
2	Duck	"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion	Skin	OUT
3	Unicorn	"Girls & Boys" by Blur		OUT
4		"Heaven" by DJ Sammy		SAFE
5	Monster	"Human" by Rag'n'Bone Man		SAFE
6	Hedgehog	"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf		SAFE
7	Octopus	"I'll Never Love Again" by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper		SAFE

Episode 7: Semi-final (8 February)

Group number: "Don't Get Me Wrong" by The Pretenders

#	Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Hedgehog	"Chandelier" by Sia		SAFE
2	Octopus	"Somewhere" by Barbra Streisand		SAFE
3	Fox	"Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler		OUT
4		"Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston		SAFE
5	Monster	"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club		SAFE

#	Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1	Hedgehog	"My Way" by Frank Sinatra		SAFE
2	Octopus	"Vogue" by Madonna		SAFE
3		"Work It Out" by Beyoncé		SAFE
4	Monster	"Careless Whisper" by George Michael		OUT

Episode 8: Final (15 February)

Group number: "The Greatest Show" from The Greatest Showman

#	Stage name	Song	Identity	Result
1		"Somebody Else's Guy" by Jocelyn Brown		SAFE
2	Hedgehog	"Cry Me a River" by Ella Fitzgerald		SAFE
3	Octopus	"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins		THIRD PLACE

#	Stage name	Song of the series	Identity	Result
1		"Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi	Nicola Roberts	WINNER
2	Hedgehog	"Black Magic" by Little Mix		RUNNER-UP

Ratings

Official ratings are taken from BARB, utilising the four-screen dashboard which includes viewers who watched the programme on laptops, smartphones, and tablets within 28 days of the original broadcast.

Episode	Date	Official rating	ITV weekly rank
1		7.10	4
2		5.50	15
3		6.52	11
4		6.26	14
5		6.35	14
6		5.83	15
7		6.51	8
8		7.69	2
Series average	2020	6.47