The Masked Singer UK Series 7 concluded on February 14, 2026, with Keisha Buchanan, the legendary Sugababes singer, crowned as the winner after performing as “Moth.” The season finale saw television presenter Ben Shephard take second place as “Conkers,” while soul singer Mica Paris finished third as “Toastie.” This seventh installment of the hit ITV series featured a star-studded panel including Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama, with Joel Dommett returning as the charismatic host. Throughout January and February 2026, viewers were treated to a diverse range of talent, from music icons like John Lydon (Yak) to sports personalities like Ben Fogle (Sloth) and Anton Du Beke (Arctic Fox).
In this ultimate guide, you will find a complete breakdown of every celebrity unmasked in the 2026 season, the most shocking clues that baffled the judges, and a retrospective of previous winners since the show began in 2020. Whether you are looking for specific episode results, the secret identities behind the “Masked Bands,” or practical information on how to attend a live filming at Bovingdon Studios, this comprehensive resource covers everything about the UK’s most bonkers singing competition.
The Masked Singer 2026 Winner and Finalists
The Grand Final of Series 7 aired on Valentine’s Day, 2026, delivering one of the most vocally impressive showdowns in the show’s history. Keisha Buchanan, performing as Moth, secured the trophy after a series of powerhouse performances, including a standout rendition of “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo. Her victory marked a significant moment for the franchise, as she became the first person of color to win the UK version of the show. Judges had theorized names ranging from Jamelia to Emeli Sandé, but Maya Jama correctly pinned the Sugababe early in the competition.
Finishing as the runner-up was Ben Shephard, the beloved This Morning presenter, who surprised everyone with his vocal range as Conkers. Third place went to the powerhouse vocalist Mica Paris, who performed as Toastie, a character whose elaborate costume and soulful voice made her a fan favorite from the very first episode. The final unmaskings were met with massive social media engagement, particularly the reveal of Shephard, who had served as a guest panelist earlier in the same season, a first for a finalist in the UK format.
Full List of 2026 Celebrity Unmaskings
The 2026 series featured a “most unmaskings ever” promise from host Joel Dommett, aided by the introduction of the Masked Bands. These short-term characters fronted a live band for the first two episodes, adding an extra layer of mystery to the launch weekend. In the very first episode, Anne-Marie was revealed as the lead singer of “No Trout” (Goldfish), while Matt Lucas fronted “The Antarctic Funkeys” as Emperor Penguin. These “substantial” early reveals set a high bar for the rest of the season.
Following the launch, the main competition saw a diverse array of British talent depart week by week. In a particularly controversial moment, Harry Hill (Red Panda) was edited out of the broadcast version of the first episode due to a sensitive song choice, though his later performances as the energetic panda became a highlight of the series. The semi-final saw a double elimination that claimed Marvin Humes (Can of Worms) and Ben Fogle (Sloth), leaving only the top three to battle for the crown in the final.
| Character | Celebrity Identity | Occupation | Episode Eliminated |
| Moth | Keisha Buchanan | Sugababes Singer | WINNER |
| Conkers | Ben Shephard | TV Presenter | Runner-Up |
| Toastie | Mica Paris | Soul Singer/Actress | 3rd Place |
| Can of Worms | Marvin Humes | JLS Singer/Presenter | Episode 7 |
| Sloth | Ben Fogle | Broadcaster/Explorer | Episode 7 |
| Red Panda | Harry Hill | Comedian | Episode 6 |
| Arctic Fox | Anton Du Beke | Strictly Judge/Dancer | Episode 5 |
| Monkey Business | Kate Nash | Singer/Actress | Episode 5 |
| Gargoyle | Marcella Detroit | Shakespears Sister Singer | Episode 4 |
| Yak | John Lydon | Sex Pistols Vocalist | Episode 3 |
| Teabag | Professor Green | Rapper/Songwriter | Episode 2 |
| Disc Jockey | Alex Jones | The One Show Presenter | Episode 1 |
Host and Judging Panel for Series 7
The 2026 panel remained consistent with the previous year, maintaining a high-energy dynamic that fans have grown to love. Joel Dommett continued his tenure as the host, famous for his colorful suits and humorous banter with the contestants. On the panel, the veteran trio of Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, and Mo Gilligan were joined for their second consecutive year by Maya Jama. Jama’s presence has been credited with bringing a younger perspective to the guesses, frequently identifying modern pop stars and influencers that the other judges missed.
This series also made extensive use of guest panelists to keep the guessing game fresh. Notable guests included sports legend Freddie Flintoff, pop star Perrie Edwards, and comedian Katherine Ryan, who had previously competed as “Pigeon” in Series 4. In a meta-twist, Olly Murs appeared as a guest judge in Episode 6 immediately after being unmasked as a secret “miscellaneous” character, Mole Dommett, further leaning into the show’s unpredictable and self-aware nature.
Practical Information and Planning
How to Get Tickets for The Masked Singer
Filming for the 2026 series took place at Bovingdon Studios in Hertfordshire during October 2025. Tickets for the studio audience are free but are distributed via a random ballot through the Lost in TV website. Due to the high demand and the show’s secretive nature, audience members are required to sign strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and surrender their mobile phones before entering the sound stage.
Visiting Bovingdon Studios
Location: Bovingdon Airfield, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 0HP.
Transport: The nearest rail station is Hemel Hempstead, followed by a short taxi or shuttle bus ride provided by the production.
What to Expect: Filming sessions typically last between 4 and 6 hours. Expect high-energy music, multiple retakes of “Take it off!”, and a very loud studio environment.
Tips for Attendees: Wear comfortable clothing but avoid large brand logos. Since you will be on camera, bright colors are often encouraged by the floor managers to make the crowd look vibrant on screen.
Past Winners of The Masked Singer UK
Since its debut in 2020, The Masked Singer UK has crowned a wide variety of champions, predominantly from the world of professional music. The inaugural winner, Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud (Queen Bee), set a high standard for vocal ability that has defined the series ever since. Subsequent winners have included international stars like Natalie Imbruglia (Panda) and iconic British frontmen like Charlie Simpson of Busted (Rhino).
| Series | Winner | Character | Runner-Up |
| Series 1 | Nicola Roberts | Queen Bee | Jason Manford |
| Series 2 | Joss Stone | Sausage | Ne-Yo |
| Series 3 | Natalie Imbruglia | Panda | Charlotte Church |
| Series 4 | Charlie Simpson | Rhino | Ricky Wilson |
| Series 5 | Danny Jones | Piranha | Alex Brooker |
| Series 6 | Samantha Barks | Pufferfish | Gregory Porter |
| Series 7 | Keisha Buchanan | Moth | Ben Shephard |
FAQs
Who won The Masked Singer UK 2026?
The 2026 winner was Keisha Buchanan, who performed as Moth. She beat runner-up Ben Shephard (Conkers) and third-place Mica Paris (Toastie) in the Grand Final on February 14, 2026.
Who was Moth on The Masked Singer?
Moth was revealed to be Keisha Buchanan, a founding member of the British girl group the Sugababes. Her identity was a popular theory among fans on social media and was correctly guessed by judge Maya Jama.
Is Rita Ora still a judge on The Masked Singer UK?
No, Rita Ora left the UK panel after Series 5 to join the American version of the show. She was replaced by Maya Jama, who has been a regular panelist for Series 6 and Series 7 (2025–2026).
Who was the Red Panda on The Masked Singer?
The Red Panda was comedian Harry Hill. His time on the show was notable because his first performance was edited out of the initial TV broadcast due to a local sensitivity issue, though he remained in the competition until Episode 6.
Where is The Masked Singer UK filmed?
The show is filmed at ITV Studios Bovingdon, located at Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire. It is ITV’s largest purpose-built production facility and also hosts shows like Dancing on Ice.
How many people were unmasked in 2026?
Series 7 featured more unmaskings than any previous season, totaling 15 celebrities. This included the 12 main contestants, two “Masked Band” leaders (Anne-Marie and Matt Lucas), and a secret character, Mole Dommett (Olly Murs).
Who was the Arctic Fox?
The Arctic Fox was unmasked in Episode 5 as Anton Du Beke, the professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge. His performance of “Gold” by Spandau Ballet was one of his most praised moments.
Can I watch The Masked Singer on catch-up?
Yes, all episodes of the 2026 series are available to stream on ITVX. Some versions, such as the unedited Episode 1 featuring Red Panda’s original segment, were also made available via Sky UK’s Video-on-Demand services.
What is “The Masked Singer: Unmasked”?
Unmasked is the companion show hosted by Harriet Rose on ITVX. It features exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the unmasked celebrities, and deeper dives into the clue packages.
Who was the runner-up in 2026?
The runner-up was Ben Shephard, who performed as Conkers. He is a well-known television presenter for This Morning and Good Morning Britain and was praised for his surprisingly good singing voice.
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