West End superstar Samantha Barks wins The Masked Singer
Samantha Barks has won 'The Masked Singer'
The 34-year-old actress had secretly been taking part in the ITV singing competition - in which celebrities conceal their identities behind extravagant costumes whilst they perform pop songs - as Puffer Fish and was crowned champion of the whole series on Saturday (15.02.25) evening.
Speaking to host Joel Dommett immediately after her victory, she said: "I feel like I've lived this double life because I've had these crazy experiences but nobody in my life knows [about] this, so I've loved it!
"I've had the best time, I really have.
"Underneath the mask, it's been hurting my cheeks because I've been smiling so hard! Thank you so much!"
Guest judge Danny Jones correctly guessed her identity, as did Davina McCall and Maya Jama, but Jonathan Ross thought it might be Nicole Scherzinger.
The West End star had performed the Britney Spears classic '...Baby One More Time'' during the final but gave a rendition of 'Dreamgirls' number 'One Night Only' after being unmasked.
Earlier in the show, Samantha had taken to the stage as Puffer Fish with McFly star Danny - who won the 2024 series of the show - as he dressed in his Piranha costume for a rendition of the Bonnie Tyler classic 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'.
Samantha found fame when she took part in the BBC's 'I'd Do Anything' in 2008 - which sought an actress to play Nancy in a revival of 'Oliver!' - and finished in third place behind Jessie Buckley and 'Coronation Street' star Jodie Prenger.
Shortly after that, she played Eponine in the London production of 'Les Miserables' before going on to reprise the role in the 2012 film, starring alongside A-listers such as Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne.
From 2021 until 2024, she starred as Elsa in the West End production of 'Frozen' and also featured as a judge on ITV's 'Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream' alongside Alan Carr, Amber Riley and Jessie Ware.
Just before Samantha's win, Grammy Award-winning star Gregory Porter was unmasked as Dressed Crab having finished as runner-up.
He said: "This was amazing. I'm not gonna lie, I have to get over a little bit of claustrophobia but who needs oxygen?"
Earlier in the show, he had performed with last year's contestant Keala Settle - who is known for starring in 'The Greatest Showman' - as she donned her Air Fryer costume once again for a rendition of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Coronation Street fans beg for 'awful' couple to break up on the show soon
Coronation Street fans have called for a couple to break up on the ITV soap, saying their relationship is "awful". This concerns the characters DS Lisa Swain (played by Vicky Myers) and Carla Connor (Alison King). Lisa and Carla became a couple on the show in 2024 and currently live together alongside Lisa's teenage daughter, Betsy (Sydney Martin). A recent storyline has seen trouble in the relationship as Lisa has been struggling following the death of her employee, Craig Tinker (Colson Smith). Amid this, Lisa asked Carla to marry her, before later revealing that her emotions might have gotten the better of her in the moment. Carla explained that she wants them to get married one day, but said that she needed it to be out of "love, not grief". It has resulted in Lisa giving Carla the cold shoulder in recent episodes, and some fans want the relationship to end. A post made on the Coronation Street Reddit page brought up the topic of Lisa and Carla's relationship not working anymore. The person wrote: "I was one of the people who originally loved the idea of these two being a couple. On paper, I thought they just really suited as both characters are similar to each other so I was looking forward to seeing them together. "However, I couldn't have been more wrong. "Carla is a shell of the woman she used to be. Swain always has something to moan and complain about regarding Carla and I honestly think it's terrible, borderline abusive behaviour from her." They discussed events of recent episodes where Lisa rebuffed Carla's attempts at a romantic dinner, and said they wanted Carla "back to her old feisty self". Quite a few people agreed with the sentiment as one shared: "I also liked them to begin with. They seemed well matched as two strong no-nonsense women. The chemistry was understandable. "But Swain is AWFUL. She takes Betsy's bad behaviour (although Betsy's naughtiness is growing on me) out on Carla all the time, and is just always in a foul mood." A third commented: "Swain is annoying just treats Carla like a doormat. The writing has been poor since they got together clearly there was no long-term planning and they live in absolute misery." Many viewers want to see better things for Carla, as another said: "Loathe Swain and her awful daughter, Carla deserves better but I never ever believed that she would want someone whose crapness at her job would result in so much suffering for Roy." Recommended reading: Coronation Street bosses urged to 'wake up' as show 'worst' it has been in years Corrie star opens up about emergency A&E visit for 'dangerous' condition Corrie fans believe 'iconic' Liz McDonald set to replace Eileen Grimshaw Some noticed that their relationship had taken a downward turn too quickly, as one person posted: "I agree with you. I was excited to see them together but they've rushed the honeymoon period completely and turned them into a bickering, bored couple. "I had higher expectations for Swain's character. It just all feels a bit flat now. All she does is moan and nothing is ever good enough." One simply said: "I really hope they split up too. Carla deserves so much more."
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Love Island UK' Season 12 Cast Photos: Meet The Islanders From The Summer 2025 Season
ITV has revealed the Islanders entering the Love Island UK Season 12 villa looking for love. The OG dating show returns with Maya Jama, the CEO of Love, leading the Islanders on their quest to find their soul mate. More from Deadline 'Project Runway Canada' Adds Spencer Badu As Judge & Aurora James As Mentor 'Love Island USA': Yulissa Escobar Exits The Villa Amid Backlash Over Resurfaced Racist Comments 'National Anthem' Sets Hulu Release With Wolfe Video & LD Entertainment This years Islanders includes a payroll specialist (Meg), a flight attendant (Helena), a marketing professional (Shakira), a motivational speaker (Sophie), a musical theater performer (Megan), a wealth manager (Alima), a water operative (Kyle), a semi-professional soccer player and gold trader (Harry), a construction project manager (Blu), a personal trainer (Dejon), a landscape gardener (Tommy), and a private hire taxi driver (Ben). RELATED: The 2025 summer season marks the 10th anniversary of the dating series, and it promises many twists throughout the season. RELATED: When does Season 12 premiere? In the UK, Love Island UK Season 12 premieres on Monday, June 9, at 9 p.m. on ITV2 and streams on ITVX. The Love Island: Aftersun companion chat show will also return with the latest exclusives and behind-the-scenes moments. The weekly series hosted by Jama will also feature Sam Thompson, former Islanders Amy Hart and Indiyah Polack, Joe Baggs, and Ash Holme. RELATED: In the US, Love Island UK Season 12 premieres on Thursday, June 12, on Hulu, with new episodes dropping daily. Scroll through the photo gallery below to meet the Season 12 Islanders. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Beloved twisty detective drama that's "one of ITV's most-watched" confirms July return with first look
Karen Pirie, the beloved detective drama from ITV, has confirmed its return with several first-look images. The three-part series, which premiered in 2022, followed the titular character (Lauren Lyle), a detective sergeant who is placed in charge of a 25-year-old cold case involving the unsolved murder of a barmaid. After becoming one of ITV's "most-watched" shows, the broadcaster renewed the series for a second season, and fans now finally have a month to mark in the calendar after it was confirmed that Karen Pirie will return to screens in July with a trio of two-hour episodes. The announcement also came with some first-look images, showcasing the titular character in her new role as detective inspector. Fans can also get a glimpse of Chris Jenks, who reprises his role as "loveable sidekick" DC Jason Murray. Based on Val McDermid's A Darker Domain, the second season sees Karen "seemingly given the authority she has long been fighting for". Just as she acclimatises to her "powerful" new role, the inspector is assigned an "infamous" unsolved case that will put her under "intense scrutiny". Related: The 30-year-old case, which is said to have "confounded investigators" and "intrigued the public", concerns the disappearance of a "charming" young heiress and her two-year-old son, with the pair vanishing after ransom demands from their kidnappers were not met. A twist comes, however, as the body of a man linked to the original kidnap is discovered. With the first new piece of evidence in decades, Karen assembles an "unbeatable team" for the "biggest challenge" of their careers. Facing pressure from her boss, the media and "sinister" forces, Karen delves deeper into the "internationally renowned" case, discovering "political grudges" and "painful secrets" as it becomes increasingly apparent that the "past is far from dead". Related: The return of the series will delight fans and critics alike, with the first season of the detective drama currently boasting an impressive approval rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes from 11 reviews. The site's critical consensus noted that the "clever and twisty" series "revamped" the "traditional grizzle detective procedural", while The Independent praised the show for telling its story in a "refreshingly cohesive" manner. Karen Pirie will return on ITV in July. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online, now priced at just £3.99.£18.99 at at Amazon£328.00 at at at at EE at at Audible at £54.98 at at at at EE at at Amazon at at at at at at at EE£29.98 at at Game at at at Pandora£219.00 at at at at Sky Mobile at at at Game£123.99 at at at at at Pandora at Three at at at at at at at at at at at at $15.00 at at Fitbit£1199.00 at AO£39.97 at at at at at at at at at John Lewis£39.99 at at at at at at John Lewis at at at Amazon£44.99 at at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at at at Fitbit$29.85 at at at Three£119.99 at at Amazon£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners£32.99 at Amazon at at at at at at at at at at Apple£49.99 at Amazon at at at Three£293.81 at at at at at at at EE£249.00 at John Lewis at Audible at at at at at at at at at EE£449.00 at John Lewis at at at at Apple at at at at at at £32.99 at Amazon at at Three£229.00 at John Lewis at at at $365.00 at Microsoft£79.00 at Samsung at at Apple at at John Lewis at at Samsung£1199.00 at AO at at crunchyroll£22.00 at Amazon£79.98 at at at at at John Lewis & Partners$365.00 at Microsoft at at at at Microsoft£269.99 at at at at Amazon£369.00 at John Lewis at at at at John Lewis & PartnersShop now at at at at Microsoft at at at at at John Lewis at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
