Overview
- The series introduced a new format with “Masked Singer Band” headliners in the first two episodes, with Goldfish’s group opening on January 3 and Emperor Penguin set for January 4.
- ITV removed Red Panda’s scheduled performance from the premiere due to potential lyrical insensitivities, with the act set to appear in the coming weeks.
- The broadcast start time shifted to 6:40pm after the re-edit, a change ITV announced shortly before airtime.
- The launch featured a special guest unmasking and the season’s first elimination, while viewers on social media criticized the pacing of the revamped opener.
- Judge Davina McCall was moved to tears by one performance, and online sleuths quickly began speculating about contestants’ identities.