Fans of The Masked Singer think they’ve worked out who Goldfish is ahead of the new series starting on Saturday
Viewers of The Masked Singer believe they’ve cracked the identity of Goldfish – even before the programme has aired. The popular ITV entertainment show, featuring famous faces in elaborate disguises performing beloved chart hits, returns to television on Saturday, 3 January.
During the opening stage of the contest, audiences must determine who lurks beneath the Goldfish costume as the anonymous celebrity leads a musical ensemble called No Trout. Subsequently, Emperor Penguins will take centre stage with their group, Antarctic Funkeys.
However, each participant has already provided hints to the celebrity panel consisting of Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall and Maya Jama.
Goldfish poses to Davina: “How did it feel to be top of the Christmas tree?” before questioning Jonathan: “They say goldfish have a three-second memory. We’ll be the Judge of that!” Mo is presented with: “54x4x10-166+8=X”, while Maya receives a message stating, “I heard you became an award-winning billionaire by swimming upstream!”
Viewers were swift to analyse these hints and became convinced that the mathematical puzzle, which equals 2002, might hold the key. The year 2002 corresponds to a pop anthem from 2018 that celebrates the era when musical legends, including Britney Spears, Jay-Z and N*Sync, dominated the music scene, reports the Mirror.
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With nearly two billion streams on Spotify, it represents one of the most successful tracks for British pop sensation Anne-Marie, and viewers are now convinced she’s the celebrity concealed beneath the costume. One Reddit user posted: “I’m pretty sure it’s Anne-Marie, based on the sum, Xmas no.1 and the judging clue,” whilst another commented: “Me too that 2002 clue has just given it away.”
The Christmas tree hint could also reference Rockabye, which topped the festive charts when Anne-Marie collaborated with Clean Bandit in 2016. It’s been suggested that the fresh band format aims to keep audiences guessing.
According to The Sun, an insider revealed: “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. “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.”
Four reveals are expected across the opening two episodes. Goldfish and Emperor Penguin feature as additional stars beyond the core 12-contestant line-up.
Last year, the programme was claimed by West End star Samantha Barks, who had appeared as Puffer Fish throughout the series. Samantha, who rose to prominence on the BBC’s I’d Do Anything alongside Coronation Street star Jodie Prenger, later featured in the film version of Les Misérables, alongside Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Eddie Redmayne.
Following her triumph, she declared, “I feel like I’ve lived this double life because I’ve had these crazy experiences, but nobody in my life knows [about] this, so I’ve loved it!”
“I’ve had the best time, I really have. Underneath the mask, it’s been hurting my cheeks because I’ve been smiling so hard! Thank you so much!”
Samantha, who is also recognised for portraying the leading role in the West End staging of Disney’s Frozen, had beaten competition from celebrities including EastEnders icon Natalie Cassidy, vocalist Macy Grey, and Celebrity Traitors personality Kate Garraway, among numerous others.
The Masked Singer airs on Saturday on ITV.
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