The Masked Singer: Fans react to first celebrity reveal

*Spoiler warning* Fans claim to have known the identity of the celebrity the moment she began to sing

The Masked Singer launched its second UK series on Boxing Day, with judges Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora and Mo Gilligan attempting to guess the identity of the celebrity contestants.

The popular show sees celebrities dress up in elaborate costumes and perform covers of pop songs to a live audience, who vote for their favourites to stay in the competition.

In the first episode of the new season, the character Alien was voted out of the contest and required to reveal her identity.

The judges were shocked when the celebrity took her mask off, revealing it to be pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Among the clues dropped before the unveiling was the “crime scene” reference in her intro, linking to her hit song “Murder on the Dancefloor”, and a nod to her cameo in Game of Thrones.

The singer was cast by showrunners for scenes in the Battle of Winterfell, along with her husband Richard Jones.

However, she later revealed that fans would be unable to see her in “The Long Night”, as the episode was notoriously dark – an issue that drew a number of fan complaints.

Her fans were just as displeased with The Masked Singer after she became the first celebrity to be voted off the show.

Many suggested it was because she had attempted to disguise her recognisable singing voice, as she performed a cover of “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa.

After her identity was revealed, Ellis-Bextor tweeted to fans: “Yes so as most of you guessed it was me and she in #themaskedsinger. Even my one year old pointed at the telly and shouted ‘mummy!’ when I started singing in the alien suit!”

She added: “Anyhoo a fun and trippy way to spend a few days and enjoy the rest of the show- no idea who anyone is!”

The Masked Singer UK continues next Saturday (2 January).