Rat exposed in third shocking elimination

The Masked Singer United Kingdom has eliminated its third contestant of the 2024 series, revealing the newest star hiding behind the mask.

Fans were delighted when the ITV singing competition returned to screens in December. Comedian Joel Dommett will once again host the show, with Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross on the judging panel.

In the series, 12 mysterious celebrity guests sing well-known songs on stage while wearing elaborate costumes that conceal their identities. The judges and audience must then decode the celebrity’s identity based on the performance and a pre-recorded video package full of cryptic clues.

In Saturday night’s episode (January 13), Rat was unmasked as Shirley Ballas.

Having received the fewest audience votes, Rat and Dippy Egg made their second appearance during the episode in the hope of saving their place in the competition.

Rat delivered a lively rendition of “YMCA” by the Village People, while Dippy Egg took on George Ezra’s 2018 hit “Shotgun.”

Both the jury and the viewers at home were amazed to discover that the furry rodent was none other than the Be sure to come and dance Chief Judge.

Before the unmasking, the judges gave their final guesses, including Jodie Whittaker, Jodie Comer and changing room with Carol Smillie as the star.

Ballas did not appear in the jury’s suspicions even once; the dance professional was able to successfully evade their investigations.

Dermott asked her to explain the tattoo gun reference that was seen in her pre-recorded video package. In response, Ballas said she has ink “all over her butt,” including a tattoo of a friend’s name.

However, Judge Jonathan Ross was right when he predicted that Rat’s Liverpool accent was fake. Ballas explained that she was good at faking the accent because she is from the North and was born and raised in Merseyside.

Of her time in the program, Ballas said it was one of her “best” experiences.

Rat’s elimination comes after Weather was recently revealed as soul legend Dionne Warwick and Chicken Caesar was unmasked to reveal Pointless Host: Alexander Armstrong.

The Masked Singer UK is broadcast on Saturday evenings at 7pm on ITV.