ITV sign up huge pop star for The Masked Singer as judges panel is given ANOTHER shake-up
RITA Ora has called on a THIRD singing superstar to cover her seat on The Masked Singer panel.
After I revealed that Olly Murs and Jennifer Saunders would be helping out on the ITV talent show in the New Year, I can now share that reigning champion Charlie Simpson has also lent a hand.
The Busted star, who crooned his way to victory as Rhino on the last series, covers Rita’s seat for one episode of the new run.
It means that Rita is missing almost half of the season, which usually runs to eight episodes.
She has been forced to sit them out after committing to other work projects.
Of the clash, Rita said: “I’m gutted to be missing some episodes.
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“But keeping my seat warm are some great guest panellists, who I’m told are also super-competitive and will keep the others on their toes.”
A source said: “Skipping three out of eight episodes feels like a pretty big chunk so viewers are bound to miss Rita, she’s such a fan fave.
“But shaking up the panel is also another fun way to keep the programme fresh.
"Jennifer brings a whole new energy, whilst Olly is of course such a safe hands when it comes to talent shows.
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“It will be interesting to see what Charlie brings to the table.”
Olly’s signing came as somewhat of a TV lifeline after he was dumped by The Voice following six years as a coach.
It comes after this year’s cast of crazy characters were revealed.
The wacky line-up includes an air fryer, an owl in school uniform, a yeti with a broken foot, a rat wearing a tool belt, a storm cloud and a cup of bubble tea.
Host Joel Dommett is back, alongside other judges Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan, when the show returns on December 30 at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX and STV.
The show won the Entertainment Programme Bafta in May and Joel joked: “Now people really have to take us seriously. We’re a Bafta winner!”
No wonder everyone wants a space on the panel.
INJURED, YET FULL MARKS...
MARK Bonnar used a nasty injury to his advantage in the new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy.
The Scotsman, who plays Reverend Humbleby in the BBC One series, said: “I like to ‘method it out’ sometimes, but I threw myself into a game of pretend tennis between takes, injured myself and had to go to the doctor. What a mug.”
He explained: “I made the mistake of jumping up for it thinking I was still a spritely 27-year-old.
“I crashed down and went over on my ankle, which then turned all yellow and purple.
“Then I had to film a scene where something horrible happens to my character. So when you see that, you will know I was actually in pain.”
The two-parter begins on December 27 at 9pm.
QUIZ ACES BACK IN KITCHEN
JAMIE Redknapp and Micah Richards swap football kits for oven gloves to cook at Romeo Beckham’s club Brentford in the Christmas special of A League Of Their Own.
The show’s two team captains hope to have a ball getting stuck in behind the food counter.
They are joined by former England ace Jill Scott, before being judged on their cookery skills by the team’s up and coming “B squad”.
Also tackling the festive challenges are show host Romesh Ranganathan, ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra and comedian Rob Beckett.
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Elsewhere, the gang play human darts and a seasonal version of the show’s high-wire game, Leap of Faith, with singer Aled Jones.
The Christmas special airs tonight at 9pm on Sky Max and Now TV.
EASTENDERS stars have been keeping details of the festive special firmly under wraps.
The BBC One soap’s flash-forward in February teased the dramatic Christmas Day episode, and ever since, fans have been theorising how the puzzle pieces fit.
Despite the cast now finally knowing how the drama pans out, they haven’t let on.
Diane Parish, who plays Denise, joked: “The audience need to consider a change in career – I heard about this full-on detective board someone had made.”
Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey, added: “I’ve had a lot of people ask me – it’s been difficult to answer now I know the outcome.
“I’ve had to work really hard on my poker face.”