The Masked Singer is set to return early next year as Davina McCall debuts a totally different look while Love Island host Maya Jama joins the panel with Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan

Here’s the first glimpse of Maya Jama as she joins the line-up of The Masked Singer – alongside a blonde-haired Davina McCall.

The Love Island host replaces Rita Ora on the panel which also comprises long-term favourites Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan, plus host Joel Dommett. Davina, normally a brunette, is recovering well from her recent brain surgery and made her first public trip out last week.

The ITV series, which returns in the New Year with a new batch of famous faces under the impenetrable costumes, was recorded many months before Davina’s tumour was discovered. Her short blonde hair is, in fact, a wig. Last week Davina, 57, made her first public appearance since her operation as she attended a charity event at All Saints Church, Fulham to support her neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill and the Brain Tumour Research Campaign.

Maya Jama will replace Rita Ora ( 
Image:
ITV)

Davina looks totally different with her blonde hair ( 
Image:
ITV)
In a speech she said: “I know lots of you here are on your own brain tumour journey and many of you have lost loved ones- I lost my sister to a brain tumour in 2012 and my ex father in law a year ago.”

The Masked Singer is said to have reached 37million viewers since it launched in January 2020, and this year’s cast will follow in the footsteps of the many big names who have already appeared including Dionne Warwick, Richie Sambora, Michael Owen, Daisy May Cooper, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sue Perkins, Glenn Hoddle, Pat Cash, Lorraine Kelly, Jason Manford, Jake Shears, Sir Lenny Henry and Joss Stone.

Under the format, the famous faces sing while in disguise and then offer clues about themselves as he panel tries to worth out who is behind each mask. When it was announced that Maya was joining the show in September, she said: “I’m such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo is going to be so much fun.

Joel Dommett will return as host ( 
Image:
ITV)“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.” Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning at ITV said: “The Masked Singer is back and promises to kick off 2025 with a bang. TV’s favourite guessing game welcomes the sensational Maya Jama who will be joining our expert detectives, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan all alongside Joel Dommett. We can’t wait.”

Earlier this year, Rita revealed she is working on a new album and heading out on tour. She told The Sun in July: “I’m definitely touring with this new record that I’m going to put out next year. I wanted to change it up. All the festivals I’ve been doing this summer have been so much fun. Getting to perform live is my favourite part. I hate the studio. I love seeing the crowd and I really connect with the energy. The tour is the only reason I put music out.”