Masked Singer Secret Spills Live on Air as Ben Shephard Lets Slip Location
The usually tight-lipped world of The Masked Singer was rocked this week when presenter Ben Shephard inadvertently revealed a significant behind-the-scenes secret live on This Morning. Co-host Cat Deeley was left gasping in disbelief as Shephard, a former contestant on the popular ITV show, divulged a key detail about where the masked celebrities hone their vocal talents.
Shephard, who narrowly missed out on winning the series earlier this year as the enigmatic Conkers, was reminiscing about his experience on the show. While detailing the monumental efforts undertaken to maintain the secrecy of the contestants’ identities, he let slip a crucial piece of information: the location of the singing rehearsals.
“During the show, celebrities will be heading to a singing lesson in Notting Hill,” Shephard casually revealed to Deeley.
Deeley, clearly taken aback, responded with immediate concern. “I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed to reveal that,” she exclaimed, voicing her worries that the location would become a hotspot for paparazzi, jeopardising the show’s carefully guarded secrets.
The Elaborate Measures to Keep The Masked Singer Under Wraps
The Masked Singer is renowned for its extreme secrecy, employing a raft of measures to ensure the celebrities remain unmasked until their grand reveal. These efforts are designed to prevent any leaks that could spoil the surprise for viewers.
Key secrecy protocols include:
- Separation of Contestants: Famous faces are kept entirely separate from each other throughout the competition.
- Character Monikers: Celebrities are referred to only by their on-stage character names, never by their real identities.
- Individual Transportation: Each contestant is transported to and from the studio separately to avoid any chance encounters.
- Constant Disguises: When not performing, celebrities are required to wear disguises at all times to prevent recognition.
Despite these stringent measures, Shephard’s slip-up highlighted the challenges of maintaining such a high level of secrecy, even among those involved in the production.
Ben Shephard’s Own Secretive Journey on The Masked Singer
Shephard’s recent revelation comes after he himself spoke about the challenges of keeping his Masked Singer participation a secret from his This Morning co-stars. His time on the show saw him unmasked as the endearing Conkers in the series seven final, much to the shock of the judges and host Joel Dommett. His participation was particularly surprising as he had only appeared as a guest judge a few episodes prior.
Reflecting on the deception involved, Shephard admitted, “As a rule, I think I’m pretty straight down the line, and the fact I got to do something so underhand…” He recounted how he had extensively questioned other contestants, including Davina McCall, about their experiences on the show, all while they were unaware of his own involvement.
“The bizarre thing is, I have been interviewing all the unmasked celebrities on This Morning,” he revealed. “They have no idea I’m on the show and still in it! It’s an isolating experience going on this show, as you can’t tell anyone. I can’t wait to be able to talk to everyone about it.”
Following his unmasking, Shephard’s This Morning colleagues shared their reactions. Cat Deeley commented on his costume, admitting, “The costume! I cried the first time I saw it!” Gaby Roslin expressed her excitement, writing, “Still screaming. That was BRILLIANT,” while Lorraine Kelly simply called it “Fabulous!!!”
The star-studded series also saw Sugababes’ Keisha Buchanan crowned winner as Moth, and actress Mica Paris finishing in third place as Toastie.
When Little Ones Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Even the youngest members of the Masked Singer family can inadvertently become agents of spoiler. Host Joel Dommett shared a hilarious anecdote about his own two-year-old son, Wilde, who managed to reveal Shephard’s identity to him.
Dommett posted a video captured by his baby monitor, showing him putting his son to bed. In the clip, Wilde can be heard proudly announcing to his father, “Ben Shephard is Conker.”
A stunned Dommett struggled to contain his laughter before quickly warning his son, “Don’t tell anybody else okay.” He later shared the clip on Instagram with the caption, “Don’t tell a 2 year old secrets,” humorously adding, “I got him an NDA and he still told everyone.” Fans were in stitches over Wilde’s accidental slip, with Shephard himself quipping in the comments, “I told him in secret I promise.”
The Audience’s Role in Maintaining Secrecy
The secrecy surrounding The Masked Singer extends beyond the contestants and presenters to the live audience. Viewers who attend the pre-recorded shows are bound by strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and are required to hand in their mobile phones.
Joel Dommett previously revealed on Sunday Brunch that the audience isn’t even permitted to watch the unmasking moments. “We record the whole show and then they get to the bit where they go ‘take it off, take it off,’ they go to take off the mask and that’s the point where… we then get rid of the audience so they can then keep it a secret.”
Contestants themselves are also subjected to extreme secrecy measures backstage, including wearing gloves, visors, and hoodies emblazoned with “Don’t Speak To Me.” They are forbidden from revealing their identity to anyone, including close family and friends, until their on-screen unmasking.
The Masked Singer is available to stream on ITVX.
