Davina McCall has admitted to storming off the stage during the heated filming of The Masked Singer‘s forthcoming series.
The ITV series’ idea is upon celebrities dressing up in extravagant costumes that mask their identities and performing musical routines. The judges can guess who they are, but the answers are only disclosed after they are eliminated. The pre-recorded VTs that are aired before they begin singing provide indications to both the judges and the viewers.
The 56-year-old judge was upset with herself, not with the production or the actors, for failing to properly guess the name of a close friend.
All blame can’t be put on Davina though as she wasn’t the only one who had a connection with the yet-to-be-identified celebrity – her fellow judges Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross and Rita Ora have also met them, and were ‘kicking themselves.’
‘I just couldn’t help myself storming off when I saw who the person was,’ she shared.
‘There have been many people on the show who I have met in passing, but this was a real friend, someone I have known for years.
![This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 21.00 Sunday 12th November 2023 From Bandicoot TV The Masked Singer: I???m A Celebrity Special on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross. 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. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. 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_180900668-81a5.jpg "The Masked Singer’s Davina McCall admits to ‘storming off’ stage 1")
‘It’s embarrassing. It was, I think, the greatest surprise I’ve ever had,’ she added to The Sun.
Those who watched the beloved show’s Christmas special, which has been airing in the UK since 2020, were also in for a surprise.
Partridge (on a pear tree) triumphed over his competitors, with the judges guessing everyone from Jamie Oliver to Alan Titchmarsh.
To everyone’s surprise, the bird removed his disguise and showed himself to be none other than Ainsley Harriott.
![From Bandicoot TV The Masked Singer Christmas Special: on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Ainsley Harriot 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_185174768-541f.jpg "The Masked Singer’s Davina McCall admits to ‘storming off’ stage 3")
‘I’ve never been so far off,’ said Mo after exclaiming he guesses Ainsley every week.
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.’
That isn’t Ainsley’s only Christmas success story; the 66-year-old is also in the running for the ‘Bookee Prize,’ a phenomena devised by a TV fan that rewards the celebrity who appears the most times on television over the holiday season.
The Masked Singer begins on Saturday at 7pm on ITV1.
