The popular and bizarre show The Masked Singer‘s Christmas edition featured four celebrities belting out melodies while costumed in seasonal costumes.
Following the appearance of previous Masked Singer contestants on Britain Get Singing on Christmas Eve, audiences turned in to watch Sprout, Partridge (on a pear tree), Reindeer, and Decorations compete in the Christmas special.
Leona Lewis introduced the event in a gorgeous gown before joining the panel, which included Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora, Davina McCall, and Mo Gilligan, to determine who was behind the masks.
Host Joel Dommett donned a Santa hat as he welcomed the first entrants to the stage for the Bafta-winning performance.
Partridge won after beating off his opponents, with the judges guessing everyone from Jamie Oliver to Alan Titchmarsh.
To the surprise of everyone, the bird removed his disguise and showed himself to be none other than Ainsley Harriott.
‘I’ve never been so far off Joel,’ said Mo after exclaiming he guesses Ainsley every week.
‘You make a very good Partridge,’ joked Jonathan as Mo said he ‘loves Ainsley so much’ and it was the ‘best reveal ever.’
Fans were equally shocked at the familiar chef being unveiled as X user Sah tweeted: ‘It was actually Ainsley Harriot, what haha the dude is such a character and apparently a decent singer!’
‘Who knew Ainslet Harriot could sing though,’ said Mariann while Daniel Matthews added: ‘It’s Ainsley Harriott. The legend.’
‘As if it was Ainsley Harriott! I was way off with Harry Judd,’ laughed Dean who had predicted the McFly icon hours before.
Partridge and Sprout had previously competed, with the vegetable losing despite producing his own rap, due to the votes of the studio audience.
The festive vegetarian was then discovered to be none other than Tony Robinson, a nod to the great lineup of actors behind the Christmas outfits.
Decorations took on Reindeer next, with the latter surviving to sing again while the tinsel-clad belter had to remove their mask.
![From Bandicoot TV The Masked Singer Christmas Special: on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Julian Clary This photograph is (C) Bandicoot TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: michael.taiwo1@itv.com](https://www.mycelebritylife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SEI_185174769-04fb.jpg "Masked Singer Christmas special has viewers’ jaws dropping as ‘legend’ is crowned winner 9")
The judges thought it was comedian Alan Carr, but to their surprise, it was stage and cinema legend Julian Clary beneath the ornaments.
Reindeer fell in the last round to a yet-to-be-unmasked Ainsley, and as the judges predicted, it was Countdown star Carol Vorderman.
After the show the maths whizz tweeted: ‘Such fun. Excuse the singing 🙏🏼 Loved being Reindeer. Thank you for loving Reindeer too ❤️🎄🧑🎄 HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.’
The Masked Singer returns in 2024 on ITV and can be streamed on ITVX.
