Rita Ora will be replaced by guest judges on “The Masked Singer”

Rita Ora will be replaced by several guest judges on the jury for the next season of “The Masked Singer”.

The ‘Hot Right Now’ singer had to withdraw from a number of filming dates due to other professional commitments. Among other things, he filled in for Nicole Scherzinger in season 11 of the US version of the celebrity talent show, alongside Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg (50), Ken Jeong (54) and Robin Thicke (46).

Nicole, 45, is unable to fulfill her duties as a judge because she has been cast in the role of Norma Desmond in London’s West End musical “Sunset Boulevard.”

The British judges Davina McCall (55), Mo Gilligan (35) and Jonathan Ross (62) will guess each week with a different jury member “who is behind the mask”.

A source told The Sun newspaper’s TV Biz column: “Rita is an important part of The Masked Singer family alongside Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall and she will be missed.”

“The show is a big part of Rita’s life, but her hectic schedule means she will miss some shows in the upcoming season.

“Filming for the new part will begin in the next few weeks and Rita will be there if she can.

“The show’s creators have just booked some amazing celebrity guests to hold the fort while Rita is off, and they can’t wait to surprise fans with the guests they’ve booked.”

The 32-year-old pop singer, who married 48-year-old director Taika Waititi in an intimate ceremony, admitted she was “devastated” not to be able to attend the entire show.

She said: “I’m sorry I’m missing a few episodes in the new season, but I’m going to get a warm seat because I’ve got some amazing guest panelists who I’m told are also super competitive and will keep the others on their toes, especially Jonathan! Bring it on.”