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Maya Jama has been announced as the newest judge on The Masked Singer.

The Love Island presenter, 30, will replace singer Rita Ora on the panel, who reportedly stepped down from her role on the hidden celebrity singing competition after five series this June.

Jama will join The Masked Singer judging panel alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan, who will all resume their celebrity detective roles.

ITV’s Masked Singer, which is presented by comedian Joel Dommett, sees a set of celebrities sing familiar songs on stage, while dressed up in a costume hiding their identities.

The judges and in-studio audience have to guess who they are based on their voices and obscure clues given to them throughout the series.

Jama said of her new spot on the show’s judging panel: “I’m such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo – and of course working with Joel – is going to be so much fun!

“I can’t wait to figure out who’s underneath all those incredible costumes, vibe to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings,” she continued. “I’ve watched the show for a long time, so I’m definitely bringing my A-game to the panel!”

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Since the show first aired in 2020, The Masked Singer UK has reached 37 million viewers who have tuned in to guess who is hiding behind the mask. The highly anticipated series will return to ITV in 2025.

A fresh batch of famous faces will don a line-up of extraordinary and elaborate costumes, in a bid to disguise their identities, as they sing in front of a studio audience and the celebrity judging panel.

This year’s cast follow in the footsteps of superstars including Dionne Warwick, NeYo, Richie Sambora, Michael Owen, Daisy May Cooper, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sue Perkins, Lorraine Kelly, Sir Lenny Henry and Joss Stone, who have all previously featured on the show.

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The Masked Singer producers Daniel Nettleton and Derek McLean added: “When we decided to add a bombshell to the panel, we knew we need not look any further than Maya.

“She might be a style icon and fashion magazine cover girl, but when it comes to music, she’s an absolute nerd, which might help her solve the clues as our newest celebrity detective.

“We are delighted to welcome her to the Masked Singer family.”

STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Pete Wicks and his professional partner Jowita Przystal looked super cosy as they headed out on an autumnal dog walk.

The BBC show pair – who have sparked romance rumours ever since they were first partnered up – couldn’t keep their hands off each other as they headed to an Essex park.

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They were joined by former TOWIE star Pete‘s two adorable dogs as they took a stroll, stopping at one point to share a hug.

Strictly champ Jowita, 30, cut a cool look as she donned a cowboy hat, nude jacket and jeans.

Pete, 36, clearly got the memo too, donning similar headgear and jacket, but pairing with dark trousers and boots.

He held a lead for each French Bulldog in so had his hands full during the stroll.

Yet, as they paused, it meant he could wrap an arm around the professional too.

Later in the day, he stopped for a cigarette before the pair were followed around by a camera crew.

Jowita then headed to a local cafe where she met Pete’s mum.

Fans were quick to remark on their “sizzling chemistry” as he put her arm around her in a recent selfie.

Taking to the comments section, one fan wrote: “There couldn’t be more chemistry if you chucked a Bunsen burner between them!”

Another added: “What a partnership and chemistry for days.”

It’s not the first time Pete and Jowita have set tongues wagging.

They appeared on spin-off show It Takes Two and Pete shocked viewers with his words about Jowita.

He said how she “makes me really happy” with his professional partner clearly touched by the remark.

Previously, we reported how eagle-eyed show fans had spotted the exact moment Pete was left fuming with his dismal show score.

Strictly 2024 pairings

Here’s who is matched with who this series…

It came after he performed a sultry Paso Doble with Jowita – who was quick to encourage him to believe in himself.

After they scooped a score of 17 she said on the show he should believe in himself more and added: “Tonight is the night you proved you can.

“You can. Because you’ve danced a beautiful Paso Doble and I’m looking forward to another week of rehearsals.”

Some fans now reckon they have been struck by the Strictly Curse.

This is where celebrities who may or may not be attached in the outside world become more than friends with their professional partners.

Strictly Curse – The Lowdown

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STRICTLY Come Dancing’s latest series has already been hit by rumours of a BBC show ‘curse’ – yet what is it?

A host of Strictly Come Dancing stars have been struck by the Strictly Curse during the past two decades.

This is where celebrities who may or may not be attached in the outside world become more than friends with their professional partners.

A total of 20 relationships are said to have been impacted so far over the show’s 20 years.

It has seen relationships crumble with dance floor romances and punishing rehearsal schedules to blame.

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This includes the partnerships of Louise and Jamie Redknapp as well as Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer.

Controversially, Judge Craig Revel Horwood once said of the curse: “I think of it as a blessing, to be honest. One person is married, the other one had a girlfriend but my point in this entire thing is: if you come on Strictly, sometimes you are in a relationship that is not working anyway.

“There has to be something wrong in your relationship before it all goes awry.”

Series one winner Brendan Cole left his fiancé, fellow Strictly professional Camilla Dallerup, during filming for the very first series in spring 2004. 

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Brendan was said to have fallen for his celebrity partner and inaugural winner Natasha Kaplinsky, although the duo didn’t confirm they were romantically involved.

A total of 20 relationships are said to have been impacted so far over the show’s 20 years.

It has seen relationships crumble with dance floor romances and punishing rehearsal schedules to blame.

This includes Louise and Jamie Redknapp as well as Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer.

Series one winner Brendan Cole left his fiancé, fellow Strictly professional Camilla Dallerup, during filming for the very first series in spring 2004. 

Brendan was said to have fallen for his celebrity partner and inaugural winner Natasha Kaplinsky, although the duo didn’t confirm they were romantically involved.

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BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay has returned to his normal radio slot after he was forced to pull out of Tuesday’s show on orders from his doctor.

The 50-year-old presenter sounded hoarse and unwell as he presented Monday morning’s show (23 september), with some listeners remarking he sounded “awful” and shouldn’t be working.

The next day, Kay told his followers that his doctor had advised him to go on vocal rest, and that Gabby Roslin would be stepping in to cover him.

The All Star Family Fortunes returned to the airwaves on Wednesday morning (25 September) sounding less croaky, telling his followers he wasn’t feeling fully recovered yet, but was aiming to plough through.

“We’re back. We’re not 100%,” he said. “But if I took another day off with a sore throat, the big fella, Norman my dad, would have killed me.”

Kay added that Monday’s show was “horrific” but thanked his listeners for supporting him by sending in more voice notes as usual to fill in gaps in the show.

“It;s surprising when you’ve lost your voice how much energy it takes to speak,” he remarked.

He added: “Thank you for your help, we managed to get through it with your voice notes.”

“Big thanks to Gabby for taking over yesterday. She’s such a lovely person.”

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During Kay’s show on Monday, listeners remarked that it was “unprofessional” that Kay was allowed to broadcast in his condition.

One listener wrote: “It’s actually a bit unprofessional in my opinion. I don’t know what @BBCRadio2 are thinking of. It’s 1 thing him going in, but Vernon wasn’t sent home sounding like that when he’s on for 2.5 hours?”

Another added: “It’s awful to hear Vernon‘s not well. Couldn’t he stay at home and wait till his voice gets better? I love the man but couldn’t Radio 2 have got a last minute DJ replacement? Me! Or you! Don’t mind but I hate hearing a bad cold type voice on the radio.”

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“WOW! Vernon Kay sounds awful this morning,” chimed another fan. “His voice is almost gone. Get better soon Vern.”

On his return on Wednesday, Kay was more bubbly as he asked listeners to help him suggest a new sound for his “School Register” segment.

Sending voice messages into the programme, one listener joked: “Welcome back to Vern’s voice” as another said, “Good to have you back”.