Latest news with #Pufferfish
The Independent
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pufferfish crowned winner of The Masked Singer 2025
Pufferfish has been crowned winner of The Masked Singer 2025. The triumphant celebrity, who had masked their identity in an elaborate costume, was revealed to be musical theatre star and Les Miserables actress Samantha Barks in the final of the ITV1 show. Barks, 34, who played Elsa in West End musical Frozen last year, said: 'I've had the best time, I really have had the best time. 'Underneath the mask I've been smiling so hard it's hurting my cheeks. It's been amazing. 'Thank you all so much for your lovely comments.' Later, in a post to Instagram, she added: 'The Pufferfish is out the bag!!! 'Thank you so much to everyone at the Masked Singer @itv for being so kind and making it such a fabulous experience. 'I have loved watching everyone playing along and guessing!!'. The runner-up, Dressed Crab, was Grammy award-winning singer Gregory Porter, who said the show 'was just straight-up fun'. The first finalist to have their identity revealed was Scottish singer Marti Pellow, the former lead singer of pop group Wet Wet Wet. Pellow, who had been dressed as Wolf, said: 'I've had a fantastic time. It's just been an incredible experience for me.' TV presenter and comedian Joel Dommett opened the final of the series with a rendition of Blondie's One Way Or Another before introducing panellists Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, Davina McCall and Danny Jones – who won the show last year as Piranha. In the first set of performances Wolf sang Poker Face by Lady Gaga while Pufferfish sang Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. Panellist Jones guessed the singer behind the fish mask could be singer Perrie Edwards, while Ross thought it could be Nicole Scherzinger. Elsewhere, Dressed Crab impressed with a performance of Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers, which Dommett said was 'beautiful'. The finalists were also joined by past contestants to sing duets. Knitting (Claire Richards) and Wolf sang With You I'm Born Again, famously performed by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright, while Pufferfish sang Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart with Piranha (Jones). Porter, in his Dressed Crab costume, was joined by Airfryer (Keala Settle) and they performed Ain't No Mountain High Enough, as sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Barks' final performance was One Night Only from the musical Dreamgirls.
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Who won the Masked Singer 2025?
After weeks of crazy costume filled competition, the winner of this year's Masked Singer has been crowned. The final was an epic showdown between Pufferfish, Dressed Crab and Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and Davina McCall were joined by Danny Jones who won the competition last year as the final trio gave their last performances on the show, the panel got to work putting their guesses forward for which famous faces could be behind the masks. So who won the competition and more importantly - which celebrities were revealed on the night? Read on to find out more! It was Pufferfish who was crowned the winner of The Masked Singer were some interesting guesses from the panel on which celebrity Pufferfish could be following their rendition of Baby One More Time by Britney Spears, including singers Perrie Edwards and Nicole the end, the famous face behind the mask was revealed to be musical theatre star Samantha Barks. The actress has starred in Les Miserables and also played Elsa in the West End musical Frozen last year. "I've had the best time, I really have had the best time," Samantha said following her win. "Underneath the mask I've been smiling so hard it's hurting my cheeks. It's been amazing."Thank you all so much for your lovely comments."This year's runner-up was Dressed Crab who was revealed to be Grammy award-winning singer Gregory Porter. He said the show "was just straight-up fun".Wolf, who finished in third place, was Scottish singer Marti Pellow. He's the former lead singer of the pop group Wet Wet Wet."I've had a fantastic time. It's just been an incredible experience for me," said Marti. What do you think about the final result? Did your favourite win? You can let us know in the comments below.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ITV The Masked Singer fans say Wolf was 'robbed' after star unmasked as 80s legend Marti Pellow
Fans of The Masked Singer said Wolf was 'robbed' as the character was unmasked as an 80s legend during Saturday night's grand final (February 15). After losing out on a spot in the final two to Pufferfish and Dressed Crab, Wolf finished the ITV singing contest in third place, where it was revealed that he was Wet Wet Wet's former frontman Marti Pellow. The Scottish singer, 59, who ruled the radio in the late 80s and 90s as the lead singer of the iconic pop band, shocked the judges Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and guest judge Danny Jones when he emerged from under the Wolf costume. READ MORE: BBC Breakfast halted as Naga Munchetty announces heartbreaking news READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Vito Coppola declares love for co-star as he admits 'I tried' and needs 'time with family' Throughout the series, Wolf's clues made reference to having had a tough time in the past and defying expectations to follow their career. They said: "It's all about new foundations. If you wanna keep a roof over your head, I should know. Not that I'm bitter about the business." Guesses from the judging panel included Richard E. Grant, Tony Hadley, David Tennant and Mike Skinner. But whilst many viewers at home guessed it was the 80s star hiding behind Wolf's costume, they fear he was 'robbed' of winning the show. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, after Marti's identity was revealed, @Momrocks50 wrote: "Wolf robbed #MaskedSingerUK," as @Momrocks50 echoed: "Wolf was robbed #MaskedSingerUK." @vixen_1 said: "Gutted that my fave #wolf didn't win but he will always be a winner to me #maskedsingeruk," as @Paullyie echoed: "Wolf should have won." @MrLThomas wrote: "How Wolf did not win is beyond. He brought talent and entertainment. #maskedsingeruk," as @MissMarrple agreed: "Away to hell… How's Wolf not in the final?? #maskedsingeruk." @OrangeDecMan96 also said: "I thought Wolf will win! But no. #MaskedSingerUK," as @Pecks1992 added: "Honestly surprised that Wolf finished 3rd; thought he'd win #maskedsingeruk."
Telegraph
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Masked Singer final, ITV1, review: No element of surprise meant fishy finale was a damp squib
Pufferfish might have blown the competition away but the result was a let-down. A predictable batch of reveals and a blandly boring winner meant that a hitherto strong series of The Masked Singer (ITV1) ended with a whimper, not a bang. 'Take it off!' chanted the audience. 'Turn it off!' groaned viewers at home. After swimming to victory, big-lunged Pufferfish was confirmed to be West End diva Samantha Barks. The piscine performer possessed a serious set of pipes but her identity was so obvious, it sucked all the air out of proceedings. 'TV's biggest musical mystery' relies on the element of surprise, hence this finale was a damp squib. The sixth series of the kitschy crooning contest reached its climax with three fancy-dressed celebrities standing. It was like a wildlife documentary gone horribly wrong as Pufferfish, Wolf and Dressed Crab battled it out to be crowned champion. All the disguised famous faces had been widely guessed, both online and in the press. Their unmaskings weren't a patch on the franchise's all-time best: Kermit the Frog emerging from a giant snail's shell on the US edition. Although frankly, what could be? Apart perhaps from Miss Piggy riding in on Shergar. Barks can consider herself fortunate to edge out Dressed Crab, aka runner-up Gregory Porter. The Grammy-winner's velvety soulful voice has been a series standout. Beneath the crustacean costume, Porter sported his signature flat cap with a chin strap. It must have been unbearably sweaty under there. He deserved to scuttle sideways to victory. In third place was Wolf, hotly tipped to be Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow. So it proved, despite Jonathan Ross' repeated insistence all series that it was Sir Cliff Richard. A howler if ever there was one. Once he removed his lupine disguise, Pellow performed a crowd-pleasing rendition of Love Is All Around from Four Weddings & A Funeral. A suitably soppy choice for the day after Valentine's. The panel of Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and McFly's ubiquitous Danny Jones – reigning champion after winning last year's series as Piranha – tried to work out the hopefuls' identities. Joel Dommett hosted with a sparkly tuxedo and cue cards packed with painful puns. His riddle-me-this clues were often reminiscent of retro gameshow 3-2-1. What no Ted Rogers or Dusty Bin? Jama came into this final having clocked up the most correct guesses. Replacing irritant Rita Ora, she has proved a considerable upgrade. Ross' jokily left-field guesses have become a running joke. Any woman is Mary Berry. Any man is Peter Kay. Indeed, producers should be pulling out all the stops to persuade Kay to sign up for the next series as Garlic Bread. However, comedian Mo Gilligan's absences due to 'scheduling clashes' were a problem. A revolving cast of rather random replacements - Olympians, actors, basically whoever picks up the phone first - were game enough but felt like a botched solution. If Gilligan can't commit to a primetime show for eight weeks, he should probably bow out. This has been an enjoyably eventful run for the surreal South Korean sing-off. Highlights have included Pegasus blatantly being Dame Prue Leith, Kingfisher turning out to be artist Sir Grayson Perry and Macy Gray's distinctive raspy vocals giving her away as Toad in the Hole - swiftly followed by Gray stomping off-stage in a huff. Sure, it's tacky, trashy and unashamedly daft but The Masked Singer's kitschy blend of crowd-pleasing tunes, tongue-in-cheek humour and colourful head-to-toe costumes makes for irresistible, family-friendly fun. It's been a blast of brightness and warmth during the dark winter months. It's also a rare ITV light entertainment franchise which doesn't depend on Ant and Dec. Don't relax and remove your earplugs yet, though. Just when you thought the noisy Saturday night nonsense was over, it will be replaced in next weekend's schedules by Britain's Got Talent. And guess who's hosting?
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ITV The Masked Singer's Pufferfish identity revealed as 'iconic' singer crowned 2025 winner
After seven weeks of guessing games, the final three contestants were finally unmasked in the grand finale of The Masked Singer on Saturday (February 15) - with the 2025 winner also crowned. The final saw Wolf, Dressed Crab and Pufferfish each perform again in a bid to win over the audience and judging panel, before revealing their identities for the first and last time. It was revealed that former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow was hiding behind the Wolf costume, whilst American singer Gregory Porter was under the Dressed Crab costume. READ MORE: BBC Breakfast halted as Naga Munchetty announces heartbreaking news READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Vito Coppola declares love for co-star as he admits 'I tried' and needs 'time with family' Pufferfish was crowned the series winner, after a stunning performance which saw her joined on stage by 2024 series winner Danny Jones, who was stepping in as a guest judge tonight. The pair performed a beautiful duet with a rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, which was hailed a 'winning performance' by fans of the ITV show. The judges guesses for Pufferfish, who was using an American accent, had included Nicole Scherzinger, Samantha Barks, Lea Michele, Kate Moss, Gillian Anderson and Gwen Stefani. And it was in fact musical theatre singer and actress Samantha Barks, 34, who starred as Elsa in the acclaimed production of Frozen in the West End, who was unmasked as Pufferfish. Samantha rose to fame after placing third in the BBC talent show-themed television series I'd Do Anything in 2008. Taking to X after her identity was revealed, one viewer @OrangeDecMan96 said: "I knew it that Pufferfish is Samantha Barks! #MaskedSingerUK," as @mishybabez_ wrote: "Samantha Barks is Pufferfish yesss well deserved winner. What a powerful voice she has #maskedsingeruk." @teenamassam said: "Congrats to Samantha Barks (Pufferfish) winning…#maskedsingeru," as @blue_laur11 wrote: "Pufferfish is Samantha Barks !! She's got an amazing voice !! Worthy winner #MaskedSingerUk." @TheRealZoeMBE also said: "Samantha Barks.. a pufferfish, an icon and a WINNER! what a series #MaskedSingerUK."
