The Masked Dancer judges: Who is on the panel?
FOLLOWING the success of The Masked Singer, a new spin-off featuring dancing celebrities is now on ITV.
The Masked Dancer UK follows a similar formula to its singing counterpart - and here's what we know about the costumed dance competition judges.
Follow our The Masked Dancer live blog for all the latest action from the new ITV show
Who are the judges of the Masked Dancer?
One of the biggest similarities between the The Masked Singer and Dancer, aside from the quirky costumes, is the judging panel.
Judges from the original show will be returning for the spin-off, with one notable change.
Here's what we know:
Oti Mabuse
Strictly favourite Oti Mabuse, a South African dance champion, will be replacing Rita Ora, who won't be judging the spin-off show.
Rita was unable to return as a judge because she was filming in Australia, where she is a judge on The Voice.
Oti said she was "thrilled and honoured" to be joining the panel.
She added: "I’m a huge fan of The Masked Singer and I loved the US Masked Dancer so I just can’t wait to start on this show.
"As a dancer I will be watching the dancers intently looking for clues - it’s going to be so much fun!!!"
The professional dancer won Strictly Come Dancing with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and Billy Bailey in 2020.
Davina McCall
Regular Masked Singer judge Davina McCall will join Oti on the judging panel.
When asked by Lorraine Kelly how guessing the masked person's identity would happen through moves rather than hearing a voice, Davina said: "People do have a certain physicality to them.
"We had a couple of nights where somebody was guessed from a movement or an energy that they had."
Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross is also moving over from The Masked Singer to The Masked Dancer.
In the trailer for the show he is heard telling Oti: "I'm actually a very, very, very good dancer."
According to Jonathan the voices of the The Masked Dancer contestants will NOT be distorted.
However on the down side, the contestants will only say ONE word.
Jonathan told : "It is tough not hearing their voices, but there is a stage in the series where we get to hear one word from them."
Mo Gilligan
Comedian Mo Gilligan joined The Masked Singer for the second series, replacing Ken Jeong who could not make it over to the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And he's back for the dance version - and may well be a favourite to getting the guesses right.
At the show's launch Mo revealed he’s also got some serious moves as a result of professional training.
Mo said: “I studied performing arts and I had to do dance as part of the course.
“I can do a bit of ballet, contemporary dance and stuff – I would have been in the Royal Ballet but I did my knee in.”
Who hosts the Masked Dancer?
Comedian Joel Dommett will be making his return as the host of the hit celebrity talent show series.
Twelve disguised celebs will take to the stage, with the the judges and viewers seeing a package of clues they have to unravel in an attempt to crack their identities.
The presenter said ahead of the show: "Well, this is set to be an amazing fun twist... will someone do the twist?!
"The Masked Dancer is that little bit of silly fun our lives need right now and I'm so excited to be hosting it.
"I'm looking forward to some incredible costumes, epic performances and accidentally saying 'Masked Singer' at least five times."
MORE MASKED DANCER NEWS
How can I watch the Masked Dancer?
The first episode of The Masked Dancer launched on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
The show will continue TONIGHT (Sunday, May 30) at the later time of 7.30pm.
The show will continue to air nightly at 7.30pm across the following week, with the final on Saturday, June 5, at 7.30pm on ITV.
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You can catch up on any missed episodes on the ITV Hub.