MUSIC: 'White Rabbit' by Jefferson Airplane
JOEL, ECHOING: Remember, there are clues everywhere.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the top-secret soiree.
The exclusive masked banquet of mystery and surprise.
The five guests at the table are...
# One pill makes you larger
# And one pill makes you small
# And the ones that mother gives you
# Don't do anything at all... #
Tonight... JONATHAN: Get ready to rock.
MAYA: Let's go, baby!
BEAR: Ah-ha! I love it!
DAVINA: Absolutely unbelievable.
You know how to bring the party every week.
PUFFERFISH: OMG!
The semi-finals!
..joined at the table by Hollywood royalty Richard E Grant.
Only three will make it to the final course.
This is The Masked Singer semi-final.
# Who are ya? Who are ya?
# Who are ya? Who's that behind the mask? #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE # Who are ya?
# Who are ya? Who are ya?
# Who's that behind the mask? # JOEL CHUCKLES
I can dance! Who knew?
It's The Masked Singer semi-final!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Tonight, you are cordially invited to the maskiest of masquerade balls.
I'm your host, the Duke of Clue-stershire,
accompanied by the Moo-quis of Uddersfield.
Tonight, we've got five noble characters to swoon over
while they sing for a place in next week's grand final.
CHEERING Thank you.
But now, they put the "guess" in VIP guests.
Our esteemed panel has arrived!
DRUM ROLL, FANFARE PLAYS
It's Lord Jonathan Ross!
It's Lady Maya of the Jama.
LAUGHING: Hello!
It's the Duchess Davina of McCall.
And tonight's guest of honour, be still my beating heart,
it's the Viscount of Grantchester,
Richard E Grant! CHEERING
It's Richard E Grant, I can't believe it! OK.
I think you've milked it enough. Off you go.
Back to your field, go! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
It's the panel, everybody!
# Who are ya...? #
Here we go. I'm coming over. # Who's that behind the mask? #
Richard E Grant, sem-ee final!
What an honour, sir.
Thank you. I'm really excited for you to be on the show.
Do you know what you've signed up for?
I do, yeah. LAUGHTER
I am a big fan of the show.
Maya, this is your first ever Masked Singer semi-final.
Do you know, I'm so excited for today.
I feel like I've got a few more under my belt as well.
Maya has proven to be very good. I've got two.
She's got more correct than anyone else so far. Secret assassin.
I think, also, you might have got more right
than Rita got in five series, which is absolutely incredible.
LAUGHTER
Jonathan, do you think Richard's gonna be a good detective?
He'll be an amazing detective
because he knows everyone in the business.
Oh, yes, of course!
Unlike Jonathan Ross, who's met nobody (!)
And Richard, also... Do you know this about Richard?
Richard has a fabulous nose, ladies and gentleman,
by which I mean he has a very enhanced sense of smell.
This is right, isn't it? It is true.
He said that you smell of a lovely kind of sandalwood,
you smell of kind of Battenburg,
and you smell of desperation.
LAUGHTER
So he can nail people. It's true.
He will get it right. It's the panel, everyone!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Oh, not bad.
After each character has performed,
our studio audience will vote for their favourite,
and the act with the fewest votes will be unmasked immediately.
The four remaining acts will then sing again,
followed by a second vote
and another unmasking at the end of the show.
Remember, there are clues everywhere,
especially in the clue packages -
parts of which feature stunt doubles,
and I won't ever tell you why!
Was a bit angry, wasn't it? Sorry about that.
Well, this guy's got a huge "fang" club. It's Wolf.
Wolf. I love Wolf.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
# Birds of a feather
# We should stick together I know... #
A long, long time ago,
in a TV studio far away,
this competition began.
# I don't know why I'm crying... #
But will there be a happy ever after for the Wolf?
I think it might be Steven Tyler.
Kian Egan.
Jonathan Bailey. Skepta.
I'm relieved I didn't bite the dust last week.
Crashing out now would be a true shame.
# It's even better. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
7'Week after week, I'm still standing.'
There we go. "I'm still standing." Elton?
'80s, yeah.
You should have known it wouldn't be that easy to get rid of me.
# Everyone's a wolf Everyone's a wolf... #
It's the semi-final, and I've got old scores to settle.
I'm sure we can come to an arrangement.
# Everyone, everyone's a wolf... #
'Oh, I'm no angel.'
I might be a wild thing,
but you know what you get with a wolf like me!
The stepladders.
Nothing's holding me back when I'm in full flow.
I'm definitely not a Londoner...
..but I've shown I can lead the East End to victory.
Do you know, I think it is a rocker.
All things that mean I'm prepared
for a battle that's out of this world.
"A battle that's out of this world."
Sort of a sci-fi... Maybe.
Get ready for an "un-fur-gettable" performance from this wolf.
See what I did there?
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Get ready to rock!
Let's go, baby!
SONG: 'Rebel Yell'
# Last night, a little dancer
# A-came dancin' to my door
# Last night, a little angel
# Came a-pumpin' on my floor
# She said, "Come on, baby
# "I got a licence for love
# "And if it expires
# "Pray help from above," because
# In the midnight hour
# She cried, "More, more, more"
# With a rebel yell # With a rebel yell
# She cried, "More, more, more"
# In the midnight hour, babe
# More, more, more
# With a rebel yell
# She cried, "More, more, more"
# More, more, more... #
CHEERING
# What set you free
# And brought you to me, babe?
# What set you free?
# I need you here by me Come on
# In the midnight hour
# She cried, "More, more, more"
# With a rebel yell
# She cried, "More, more, more"
# More, more, more! #
Yes! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Ah-whoo!
Yeah!
Rock on! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
JOEL: Yeah!
Wassup!
Maya, how metal was that, man?
Wolf, that was amazing!
You know how to bring the party every week.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Yeah!
So, we had "def not a Londoner",
which I thought maybe
because the next bit was "led the East End to victory".
Someone that isn't from London but ended up in EastEnders.
So, then I went down and thought, "Elton John reference.
"I'm Still Standing." Yes.
Who was in EastEnders, not from London,
did something with Elton John?
Lee Ryan from Blue.
It could be you. APPLAUSE
That is a good guess. Davina?
Wolf has just got it. He's hot.
He's done, a couple of times, a little dance that we used to do,
Jonathan, you and I, in the '80s.
Hold on, you mean our special dance? Our special dance.
LAUGHTER
I heard, "East End to victory."
Queen Vic. This man was married to somebody
that was in EastEnders.
Jim Kerr. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Married to Patsy Kensit.
Jonathan, who do you think it is?
Tonight, we had, "I'm surprised I didn't bite the dust."
Who had a hit single with Another One Bites The Dust?
# Another one bites the dust. # Queen. Queen.
Oh! Queen. And who replaced Freddie Mercury in Queen?
Adam Lambert, yeah. Yeah. Adam Lambert.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Richard E Grant.
Ah, at first I thought it was Shane Ritchie,
because of EastEnders. He's a good guess.
Yeah, and Shane can sing.
But then when I saw how slim this wolf's thighs were.
No disrespect to Shane, but...
How could he take that disrespectfully?
I think Shane is more well upholstered than the wolf-man.
So I think it's Billy Idol. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Oh, my gosh! Billy Idol? I think it's Billy Idol.
Can you "tail" who it is? You'll only know when the mask comes off.
Give it up for Wolf, everyone! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Did the panel yell out Wolf's name,
or are these guesses just them being "idol"?
Who do you think's behind the mask?
I have huffed, and I have puffed and blew the panel off the scent.
CHUCKLES
On to our next performer now.
They're all about the... # Honey, honey, honey. #
It's Bear.
# Good Lord
# Someone pour me out A double shot of whiskey... #
We band of brothers, sisters and bears
have made it to the semi-final.
# Everybody at the bar Gettin' tipsy... #
The panel thought they were homing in on me last week.
It's my friend, Example.
Romesh Ranganathan. It's Ben Elton.
But what a relief it is to show I'm not a weak link.
Will their guesses stand up tonight?
# Everybody at the bar Gettin' tipsy. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
BEAR ROARS
I've been doing vocal warm-ups,
as one's voice is of paramount importance...
Paramount. Film scripts.
..whether on a small stage or big screen.
He's a director as well? Actor and director.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
To go out now would be
"un-bear-able".
# Knowing me, knowing you... #
Ah-ha! Is that a swagger you see before you?
# Knowing me, knowing you... #
BOTH: # Ah-haaaa! #
Unconventional, unusual, irregular.
How else would you describe it?
Clown? He's a clown. He's a joker.
Well, when you've been first in your forest, it's only natural.
I'm not just here chasing glory and status.
This competition has meant the world to me.
# Knowing me, knowing you... #
Dancing On Ice? Yeah.
If music be the food of love,
get ready to enjoy the feast I'm about to serve.
I love it.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'She'
# She may be the face I can't forget... #
Oh! I love this song.
# A trace of pleasure or regret
# May be my treasure
# Or the price I have to pay
# She may be the mirror of my dreams
# A smile reflected in a stream
# She may not be what she may seem
# Inside her shell... #
Romantic!
# She who always seems so happy In a crowd
# Whose eyes can be so private And so proud
# No-one's allowed to see them
# When they cry... #
This is such a hard song to sing.
And disguising your real voice. # She may be the reason I survive
# The why and wherefore I'm alive
# The one I care for Through the rough and ready years
# Me, I'll take her laughter And her tears
# And make them all my souvenirs
# For where she goes, I must be
# The meaning of my life is she
# She... #
Oh, yes!
Whoo!
# She. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Well done, Bear.
JOEL: Give it up for Bear, everybody! How good was Bear?
Jonathan, how good was that?
Well, I loved it, and I love that song.
It's one of my favourite songs.
I'm gonna go back to someone I said earlier on.
It ties in with the small screen, big screen,
someone who's known primarily for TV but did have a hit movie.
It's Louis Theroux, ladies and gentlemen!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE That's who it is!
Yes. Richard, you're shaking your head there.
Well, there's the theme from Romeo And Juliet,
and he's a director, and there have been all these Shakespearean quotes.
And because of Shakespeare In Love,
Joe Fiennes played the lead in Shakespeare In Love,
I thought maybe it was him.
DAVINA: Joseph Fiennes is a very good shout.
Davina, who do you think it is? Yes.
Listen, can I just ask you, Maya... Go on.
..you know when Bear did the rap a couple of weeks ago? Yeah.
That was very impressive. I mean, that was amazing.
It was good. Louis Theroux had a hit with his rap, Jiggle Jiggle.
No, no, no. He did.
Jiggle Jiggle was a big hit. Yeah.
I'm gonna stick with my guess from before,
which is Romesh Ranganathan because I know he can rap.
Oh! People in the audience agree with that.
That's a good one. That is a good one.
Maya Jama, who is this?
I know exactly who Bear is.
How have you worked this out?
I said it last week. "Chasing glory and status."
He had a song with Chase & Status. Oh! Yes.
The song was called Fallout.
Example, OK, is who I think it is.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE I love it.
Have the panel "Bungle-d" it? That's one for the over 40s.
Ah! We'll only know when the mask comes off.
Give it up for Bear, everybody!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
The panel have tried hard to "Fiennes" out Bear's identity,
but can he make it "Theroux" to the final?
There's no "Romesh" for error.
OK, I'll stop now.
I changed the way I sang tonight, and Maya still thinks I'm Example.
Well, I tell you one thing - I won't go quietly.
Coming up after the break, a bush sings!
You couldn't make it up. I mean, actually, you could.
Someone made up Lord Of The Rings. See you in a bit.
You shall not pass!
# Who's that behind the mask? #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Welcome back to The Masked Singer semi-final,
and you know it's a special occasion
cos actual Hollywood movie star Richard E Grant is here, everybody!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
On to our next act now.
I've just booked us a table for two at the local gastro-shrub.
It's Bush. I'm sorry.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Can I speak to your branch manager?
Who let this bush through to the semi-finals?
# Get ready Tonight... #
Last week really was a night to remember.
# A night to remember... #
Stacey Solomon.
Morgana Robinson.
I am still sticking by Maisie Smith.
# Make this a night to remember. #
Let's hope I'm the toast of the town tonight.
MUSIC: 'Green Onions' by Booker T & the MGs
We've pruned down a lot of the competition,
but there's still some way to go.
Where did you come from?
It's a baby Bush. They might have a little famous baby?
The Masked Singer is a marathon, not a sprint.
Paula Radcliffe?
So I need to carry on and keep going -
stand up on that stage and "bush" myself to the limit!
It's been 100 times grander than I expected,
and I'm not ready to be dropped.
A hundred times grander?
This stuff just feels right.
Like a lot of bushes, I need support,
and family is very important.
It could be a soap person. Yeah.
# Sit in a green garden... #
Both the ones you see and the ones you don't.
VIP?
Someone who goes to lots of parties?
I won't nurse a grudge if I go out now.
No-one likes a prickly bush.
But I hope you're all rooting for me tonight.
# Wherever you take me, I go. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Bush always brings a good time.
SONG: 'Thank You For The Music'
# I'm nothing special In fact, I'm a bit of a bore... #
Cutie, Bush!
# If I tell a joke
# You've probably heard it Before... #
CHEERING
# But I have a talent A wonderful thing
# Everyone listens
# When I start to sing
# I'm so grateful and proud
# All I want is to sing it out loud
# So I say
# Thank you for the music
# The songs I'm singing
# Thanks for all the joy They're bringing
# Who can live without it?
# I ask in all honesty
# What would life be?
# Without a song or a dance What are we?
# So I say
# Thank you for the music
# For giving it to me... #
I recognise that voice.
# What a joy, what a life
# What a chance
# Thank you for the music
# The songs I'm singing
# Thanks for all the joy They're bringing
# Who can live without it?
# I ask in all honesty
# What would life be?
# Without a song or a dance What are we?
# So I say thank you for the music
# For giving it
# To me. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Oh, Bush!
Wow, Bush! Come on in!
Oh, I love your hugs. It's incredible! Maya.
Oh, she's so sweet!
Bush, you are the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life.
That was so good! CHEERING
Last time, I guessed Maisie Smith, and I still think it could be her
or someone from Albert Square.
"Family is important" - that got mentioned.
Obviously loads of family characters in EastEnders.
I wanna stick with Maisie Smith.
There was a hint of cockney there, in that singing voice.
You've been saying a famous street in a soap opera,
but Eastenders doesn't have the most famous street,
it has the most famous square.
Coronation Street has the most famous street. True.
And you said, "I'm not someone to nurse a grudge."
Well, someone who's played a nurse in Holby City as well -
I think it's Angela Griffin.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Ooh.
Popular guess in the studio. Could be. Like that.
Richard E Grant, what do you think?
I thought it was Paula Radcliffe at first
because it said, "Sprint not a marathon,"
but I now know who it is unequivocally. Ah!
Because this person has done documentaries
in the bush in Australia.
It's Miriam Margolyes. MAYA: Oh, wow.
APPLAUSE
And it is the kind of thing Miriam would do.
Absolutely, and she's had her hips replaced,
so she's fully mobilised again.
LAUGHTER
Davina. So...
last week, I guessed Morgana Robinson,
and she does the best-ever impression of Fearne Cotton.
And I could see a visual clue of cotton and ferns.
Also, it said at the beginning, "I'm the toast of the town,"
and she was in Toast Of London.
So I still think it's Morgana Robinson.
You're going Morgana? Yep.
Who's the sensation in the vegetation?
We'll only find out when the mask comes off.
Give it up for Bush, everyone. Aren't they incredible?
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Have the panel rooted out Bush's identity?
Or are they still barking up the wrong tree?
Who do you think's behind the mask?
Has Miriam Margolyes been repotted as a bush?
You'll have to wait and see!
OK, we're back on the case.
Hey, you, give me some clues, and make it snappy!
LAUGHTER It's Dressed Crab.
I'm sorry, that was so angry. I'm so sorry.
Hola, mis amigos.
# California dreaming
# On such a winter's day... #
This dressed crab is shellshocked to have made it here.
The panel's comments were a cut above.
Michael Kiwanuka. Gregory Porter.
It's Lionel Richie, ladies and gentlemen!
And it's a real pinch-me moment to find myself
in the semi-final.
# California sunshine, oh!
# Oh! #
I must compose myself before the panel's questions.
Composer. Someone who writes their own songs?
MUSIC: 'Fashion' by David Bowie
Houston, I hope we don't have a problem.
This is not the time to "flounder".
So, is he southern American?
I can see a ray of light at the end of that tunnel.
# Fashion... #
Think you've guessed the shell-ebrity in this shell?
I'm telling you, I'm not going without a fight.
"Don't ring after 9pm." A show? When somebody does a show?
MUSIC: 'The Look' by Roxette
I wouldn't say it's been smooth sailing
getting to this point,
but the audience thinks I'm krill-ing it,
so who am I to argue?
I'm a dish for all sea-sons,
whether it's the summer time
or the month of little St Nick.
Someone who's had a Christmas album?
The public's taste can yo-yo.
But my designs are ageless.
Dressed Crab couture suits every taste -
Scousers, Brummies, Londoners, you name it.
Maybe he's performed in Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester.
# She's got the look. #
I've collaborated with mussels,
clams and even a festive winkle.
Festive winkle? I've had one of those. What is that?
I might be a crab, but I'm not about to hide.
"You've got this. You're a winner."
Park your presumptions at the door.
Will my performance be shrimp-ly the best?
Or will I be the ultimate fashion victim
and fall at the final hurdle?
Por favor. You'll have to wait and see.
They always do Spanish, Crab. I don't think they're Spanish.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'Suddenly'
VOCALISES
Wow.
# I used to think that love Was just a fairy tale... #
CHEERING Wow!
# Until that first hello
# Until that first smile
# And if I had the chance To do it all again
# I wouldn't change a thing
# This love is everlasting
# Suddenly... # CHEERING
# Life has new meaning to me... #
Beautiful.
# There's beauty up above
# And things we never take notice of
# Wake up, and suddenly
# You're in love... #
CHEERING
# Girl, you're everything A man could want
# And more
# Never felt like this before
# You're all I'm living for
# Suddenly
# Life has new meaning
# To me
# There's beauty up above
# And things we never take notice of
# Wake up, and suddenly
# You're in love. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
What a lovely song. Beautiful, wasn't it?
Beautifully performed. Stunning.
Dressed Crab, everyone!
Beautiful. That voice is so incredible.
So nice. I was gonna hold your hand, but it looks sharp. Davina.
DAVINA: You really confuse me.
Mo mentioned Gregory Porter before.
It does sound like Gregory Porter,
but all of the clues are telling me you're fashion and singing.
Yeah. And you said Billy Porter.
I know. I can't get over Billy Porter.
I can't get past Billy Porter. Yeah.
I know Gregory likes a hat.
We're basically having a Porter-off. Yeah.
Well, I'm gonna say Billy Porter.
CHEERING
I'll say Gregory, so then we've covered both angles. OK.
Greg and Billy. Can I share that, if we're right?
We'll double team. I love this. This is fantastic.
Tag team. Sisterhood.
Richard E Grant, what are you thinking, my friend?
Erm, when I heard the VT, I thought that it was a woman,
and then, of course, I see that it is a giant.
Then I thought, it's Nile Rodgers. Ooh.
But I'm completely Billy Porter now.
Oh, my God, Billy Porter as well.
What do you think, Jonathan? Summertime was mentioned.
Summertime, of course, was a gorgeous song
written by George Gershwin from the musical Porgy And Bess.
Bess was the name of the horse ridden by Dick Turpin,
who used to hold up in Hampstead.
Hampstead Heath is rhyming slang for teeth. Who has big teeth?
It's Rob Beckett, ladies and gentlemen!
LAUGHTER That's who it is.
And those clues cannot take you in any other direction.
LAUGHING: Thank you.
Who's inside the shellfish?
Can you tell-fish?
We'll only know when the mask comes off.
Let's hear it for Dressed Crab!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Has this crooning crustacean been caught?
Or are the panel still stuck at Port-er?
The panel are having a Porter-off.
But who will it be when the mask comes off?
Time for our last performance
before the first studio audience vote.
Oh, tis my Prime delivery, guys.
Bear with me, let's have a look. CHEERING
Oh, can you guess what it is? INHALES DEEPLY
JOEL HUFFS, LAUGHTER
Ahh, I've run out of puff.
It's Pufferfish.
# I'll march my band out... #
OMG!
This fish has scaled new heights and made it to the semi-final!
Yes!
Tori Kelly.
Cyndi Lauper. I'm gonna go Emma Watson.
Things got a bit tense last week.
Pufferfish.
But I feel like the world is my oyster now.
CHEERING
MUSIC: 'Fantasy' by Mariah Carey
I've gotta remember to not stop believing in myself.
Selfie flakes? She loves a selfie.
Windy City, Chicago. Been in Chicago.
Being a pop princess means my life is full of action,
which is great, as it's never a drag.
What's that? A turtle?
Though I'm usually splashing about solo,
I like to mix things up with my performances.
I don't really share the stage with fish,
I like to jam with crows in the garden too.
Counting Crows?
Counting Crows or The Black Crowes?
This fishy may be here for only one more night,
so I need to make it count!
# With somebody who loves me. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'What Was I Made For?'
VOCALISES
# I used to float
# Now I just fall down
# I used to know
# But I'm not sure now
# What I was made for
# What was I made for?
# When did it end
# All the enjoyment?
# I'm sad again
# Don't tell my boyfriend
# It's not what he's made for
# What was I made for?
# Cos I
# I don't know how to feel
# But I wanna try
# I don't know how to feel
# But someday, I might
# Someday, I might
# Think I forgot
# How to be happy
# Something I'm not
# But something I can be
# Something I wait for
# Something I'm made for
# Something I'm made for. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Stunning.
Yeah, best.
JOEL: Oh!
That was beautiful!
Give it up for Pufferfish, everyone!
Maya, it was emosh! Pufferfish!
You have the voice of an angel. Honestly, that was so beautiful,
CHEERING
So I'm convinced you are a singer, you're a performer.
So, we saw four chairs again,
and I feel like there's been some judging references in the past,
like, someone that's a judge on a show,
also a pop princess - Nicole Scherzinger.
JONATHAN: Good guess. And even that sass.
Like, that's sass.
I ate a pufferfish once. Really? What?
I mean, on purpose, in a restaurant. Don't worry.
I wasn't swimming with my mouth open.
It was served up to me.
It was delicious, but if you're related, I apologise.
So, I was looking at the clues. You said, "Don't stop believing."
That was a big hit for Journey, but that was sung a lot on Glee,
and I'm thinking from Glee, could it be Lea Michele, maybe?
I guessed her!
APPLAUSE Good guess.
Richard E Grant, what are you thinking?
I think the Windy City, Chicago, lead actor,
Renee Zellweger.
You think it's Renee Zellweger? Yeah. I'm hoping it is.
You must know Renee Zellweger, right? We're like that.
LAUGHTER Davina.
Erm... So, Windy City, Chicago, yes.
And empty chairs at empty tables.
This is somebody that was in Les Mis.
And last time we saw you,
we saw quite a lot of Disney.
So I'm thinking princess,
I'm thinking a more modern Disney princess -
Samantha Barks.
Yeah. Elsa.
One of the most popular Disney princesses in the West End.
Frozen. Disney royalty. Samantha Barks!
That is her voice. It's a really good guess.
As well, the thing about dressing with crows
because Russell Crowe was in Les Mis... Yes, yes!
CHEERING Oh, my God, I'm so excited.
I think I might have one right.
Is this puffer a really good bluffer?
We'll only know when the mask comes off.
Give it up for Pufferfish, everyone!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Have the panel been left "floundering"
by this puffed-up fish?
Who do you think's behind the mask?
Nicole Scherzinger. Is this pufferfish also a Pussycat?
After the break, the studio audience will vote
for their favourite masked singer,
and one of them will be unmasked immediately.
Say whaaat?!
Don't go anywhere.
# Who's that behind the mask? #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Welcome back to The Masked Singer.
All of our semi-finalists have now performed,
and it's time for our studio audience
to vote for their favourite.
The masked singer with the fewest votes will be unmasked immediately.
The remaining four will then sing again
for a place in next week's grand final.
While our studio audience votes,
here is a reminder of tonight's performances.
# With a rebel yell
# She cried, "More, more, more"
# "More, more, more...!" #
# She may be the reason I survive
# The why and wherefore I'm alive... #
# Thank you for the music
# The songs I'm singing
# Thanks for all
# The joy they're bringing... #
# Suddenly
# Life has new meaning
# To me... #
# Something I wait for
# Something I'm made for. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
The results are in.
I can reveal that, in no particular order,
the characters returning to sing again are...
AUDIENCE SHOUT NAMES
..Bush... CHEERING
That's nice.
..Pufferfish...
CHEERING
..Dressed Crab!
CHEERING
That means, Wolf and Bear,
one of you will be performing for a place in the grand final,
and the other will be unmasked immediately.
AUDIENCE: Ooh!
The masked singer keeping their place in the competition,
for now, is...
AUDIENCE SHOUT NAMES
..Wolf!
# Who's that behind the mask? #
Congratulations, Wolf.
Which means, Bear,
you will be unmasked.
Wow! I'm so sorry.
Congratulations to the rest of you.
Give it up for all your wonderful characters, everybody.
CHEERING
HOWLING
Let's hear it for Bear, everyone.
Yay! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Sadly, your time on The Masked Singer
has come to an end,
and you'll be revealing yourself very, very soon.
But first, of course, panel, who do you think it could be?
I'm gonna come to you first, Richard.
Joseph Fiennes.
You're going Joseph Fiennes? I like that. Davina.
Romesh Ranganathan.
Romesh Ranganathan. Maya.
That is Example.
OK, I love that. Who do you think it is, Jonathan?
We all know who it is, don't we?
It's Louis Theroux.
Interesting.
Can't wait to see if you're jiggle-jiggly inside.
Let's see if any of you are right.
Bear, who's behind the mask?
ALL CHANT: Take it off! Take it off!
Take it off!
CHANTING CONTINUES
Take it off!
I don't know if you're right.
It has to be.
CHANTING CONTINUES
JONATHAN: It is Example!
I knew it! It's Example!
Ha-ha! Yes!
Of course it is.
Yes, mate. So good to see you!
Maya was right.
I got you!
You got it, Maya! I'm so happy!
Mate, this is madness. Yeah, I know.
You really disguised your voice really well.
Well, basically, I sing like...
Well, I sound like me when I sing "my records".
LAUGHTER And I rap like me. So I was like,
"I need to do something different every week."
Yes! Yeah.
So I was like, when I do Fagan, you know that...
# Why should we break our backs? # Yeah, that was amazing.
I thought if we start off with that,
no-one's gonna guess me for quite a while. No, no.
Brilliant. That's good. And then I got to do,
you know, Will Smith rap.
That's when I knew it was you cos the breath control,
the movement, the flow, I was like,
"That has to be someone that has actually rapped." Yeah.
I love the Will Smith rap.
Let's go through some of the clues.
We were in a film called White Island together...
Set in Ibiza. Yeah.
There was, like, a ship's wheel
that was a reference to, I think, to Titanic.
And Billy Zane was in the film. We were in a film with Billy Zane.
Wow! We were in a film with Billy Zane together!
But then, also, there was loads of chickens.
And you and Ed Sheeran did the viral rap.
I think, for a while, people thought of me as a Nando's lover.
We went down the stand-up comedian route
because there was a microphone on a stool at one point. Yes.
What was that about? I did stand-up.
Really? Did you?
Oh, yeah, that show with... with Richard Herring. Exactly.
I done, like, 15 stand-up gigs.
Then I got offered my record deal with The Streets, so I was like...
No offence to stand-up comedians, but...
You're standing next to one.
LAUGHTER No offence taken, don't you worry.
And you mentioned "a-ha" at one stage.
Was there an Alan Partridge connection? Yeah.
So, one of my songs featured on the Alan Partridge film.
Oh, Alpha Papa. Alpha Papa, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
I've just done so many weird, random things
over 20 years' career, so... Yeah.
Have you enjoyed it, man? Er, yeah, it's been great!
I now get to ruin Elvis Costello's tune again. No!
You're not gonna ruin it, you're gonna absolutely smash it.
Honestly, I can't wait. Well done. Give it up for Example, everybody.
Good to see you. You too, man. So lovely.
You've been incredible. Singing for us one final time,
unmasked at last, it's Example!
APPLAUSE Yeah!
All right, cool. Go, go.
I love that. Right, here we go.
SONG: 'She'
Off we pop.
# She may be the face I can't forget
# A trace of pleasure or regret
# May be my treasure
# Or the price I have to pay... #
Yeah!
# She may be the mirror of my dreams
# A smile reflected in a stream
# She may not be what she may seem
# Inside her shell... #
You can join in if you want. LAUGHS
# She who always seems so happy
# In a crowd
# Whose eyes can be so private And so proud
# Something, something Something... #
CHEERING Yeah!
# She... #
Yeah!
One last time, one more time. Yeah, yeah, yeah!
# Sheeee... yah! #
Yay! Yeah!
Thank you, Example, everyone!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Now, don't even think about switching because after the break,
Wolf, Bush, Dressed Crab and Pufferfish
will sing for a place in the grand final.
See you in a bit.
Yeah! Yeah!
# Who's that behind the mask? #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Welcome back to The Masked Singer semi-final.
Before the break, we found out that Bear was Example
the whole masking time.
But they're not the only character revealing their identity tonight.
It's time for our final four remaining characters to sing again,
and there's a place in the grand final at stake.
First up, if they make it to the grand final,
it'll be fan-crabby-dozi.
One for the over-50s. It's Dressed Crab! Yeah!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'Hit The Road Jack'
Banger!
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more
# No more, no more, no more
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more
# Hey
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more No more
# No more, no more
# Hit the road, Jack
# Don't you come back no more
# Old woman, old woman Why you treat me so mean?
# You're the meanest old woman That I've ever seen
# I guess if you say so
# I'll better pack my things and go
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more No more
# No more, no more
# Hit the road, Jack And don't you come back no more
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more No more
# No more, no more
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more
# Oh, baby, listen, baby Why you treat me this way?
# I'll be back on my feet someday
# I don't care if I do And it's understood
# I ain't got no money I just ain't no good
# I guess if you say so
# I'd better pack my things and go That's right
# Hit the road, Jack And don't you come back
# No more, no more, no more, no more
# Hit the road, Jack... # I love this song!
# And don't you come back no more
# Don't you come back no more
# You can't mean that
# No more, no more No more, no more
# Hit the road, Jack And don't you come back no more
# Don't you come back no more Don't come back no more... #
I love him!
# Oh, baby, please
# Don't you come back no more Don't treat me this way
# Don't you come back no more But it's me
# Don't you come back no more. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Yeah!
CHEERING CONTINUES
WHISTLES
Fabulous, as always. Beautiful.
So, Dressed Crab, what a great performance, as always.
Hyde Park was mentioned - we heard earlier on.
Who's played at Hyde Park recently who could have that voice?
John Legend has played there.
It could be John Legend. A voice to celebrate.
You open your mouth, and the way you sing,
and the feeling,
it was just unbelievable.
Knockout. Amazing. So good.
Give it up for Dressed Crab, everyone! Yeah!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
That was amazing.
This Dressed Crab is hoping not to hit the road
before next week's final.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Next up, if they get to the grand final,
it'll be a really "twig" deal.
It's Bush!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'Stay (I Missed You)'
# You say
# I only hear what I want to... #
CHEERING
# And you say
# I talk so all the time
# So
# And I thought What I felt was simple
# And I thought that I don't belong
# And now that I am leaving
# Now I know That I did something wrong
# Cos I missed you
# Yeah
# I missed you
# You say
# I only hear what I want to
# I don't listen hard
# Don't pay attention To the distance that you're running
# To anyone, anywhere
# I don't understand If you really care
# I'm only hearing negative
# No, no # Ah
# So I, I turn the radio on I turn the radio off
# And this woman was singing my song
# Lover's in love And the other ran away
# Lover is crying Cos the other won't stay
# Some other lover Is awaiting for the other
# Who was dying Since the day they were born
# Well, this is not that
# Think that I'm throwing But I'm thrown
# And I thought I'd live forever But now I'm not so sure
# You try to tell me that I'm clever
# But that won't take me anyhow
# Or anywhere with you
# You said that I was naive
# And I thought That I was strong, yeah
# I thought, hey, I can leave I can leave
# Oh, but now I know That I was wrong
# Cos I missed you... #
CHEERING
# Yeah
# I missed you. #
Yeah.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Give it up for Bush, everyone!
Loved that.
Well done, Bush!
So good.
CHANTING: Bush! Bush! Bush! Bush! Bush! Bush! Bush!
Maya Jama.
From day one, we have been obsessed.
Obsessed. Haven't we? Obsessed.
I just feel like there is a cute human inside of there.
It's the aura. Something sweet inside.
What, you mean Rita Ora? Could it be?
Oh! LAUGHTER
OK, no, you're all wrong. What?!
You're all wrong, and I think I know who it is.
I've been guessing based on the clues, and sometimes,
the clues are just there to confuse us.
I thought Catherine Tate for a while
because there were lots of references to "are you bothered?"
Obviously someone with a very fine comic sensibility.
But then today, that thing about family
and ones you see and ones you don't, I thought,
"Could that be referring to ghosts?"
Could it be, from the hit series Ghosts, Lolly Adefope?
Oh. Popular guest in the studio.
Give it up for Bush, everyone!
Loved that.
I hope I don't "leaf" the competition before the final.
This bush is in no rush.
We've got two more performances before we unmask another character.
But now, what time is it?
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# Who's that behind the mask? #
Welcome back to The Masked Singer semi-final,
where the pressure is building...
in my bladder.
I really should've gone to the loo in the break.
Next up, can they go "howl" the way to the grand final?
LAUGHTER It's Wolf.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'Don't Dream It's Over'
# There is freedom within
# There is freedom without
# Tryin' to catch the deluge In a paper cup... #
WHISPERS: It's so good.
# There's a battle ahead
# Many battles are lost
# But you'll never see The end of the road
# While you're travelling With me... #
Scottish.
# Hey now, hey now
# Don't dream it's over
# Hey now, hey now
# When the world comes in
# They come, they come
# To build a wall between us
# We know that they won't win... #
Wow!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
# Now I'm towing my car
# There's a hole in the roof
# My possessions Are causing me suspicion
# But there's no truth
# In the papers today
# Tales of war and of waste
# But you turn right over To the TV page
# Hey now, hey now
# Don't dream it's over
# Hey now, hey now
# When the world comes in
# They come, they come
# To build a wall between us
# We know that they won't win
# They won't win. #
EXHALES DEEPLY
Wow!
Wow, wow, wow! Major.
Loved that.
Beautiful.
CHEERING, DAVINA HOWLS
I am desperate to know who is under there because it's...
Every time I say it - the swag, the aura, the presence.
You're a pop icon. I know it. I can feel it.
Maybe pop or rock kind of icon. That's where I'm heading.
A small part of me does think it's someone older
and a bit more seasoned. I'm gonna give you a name now,
and initially, you might not like it...
LAUGHTER ..OK?
But it's someone who used to be known
for being an out-and-out rocker before he became a pop star.
He's been around for a long time.
I think it's Cliff Richard!
LAUGHTER Yes!
He's still got it. What are you laughing at?
Sir Cliff? That's just rude.
That's rude to Cliff! It's Sir Cliff.
What do you think, Richard? I think it is.
You must have sniffed Cliff.
LAUGHTER
I have. I can assure you that's not Sir Cliff Richard. What?
I would lay all my money in my bank account, it's not Sir Cliff.
Oh, you say that. Wait till Cliff takes that mask off.
Who's going to feel silly then, huh?
Give it up for Wolf, everybody!
HOWLS
Yeah!
I can't believe I have made it this far.
Hopefully, I haven't had a howler and can make it to the final.
Very shortly, the studio audience will vote for their grand finalists,
but not before one last performance.
Singing for a place in the grand "fin-al",
it's Pufferfish!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
SONG: 'One Night Only'
# You want all my love
# And my devotion... #
APPLAUSE
# You want my love and soul
# Right on the line
# I have no doubt
# That I could love you
# Forever
# The only trouble is
# You really don't have the time
# You want all my love And my devotion
# You want my love and soul
# Right on the line... # Wow!
# I have no doubt That I could love you forever
# The only trouble is
# You really don't have the time
# I got one night only One night only
# That's all you have spare
# One night only Let's not pretend to care
# I've got
# One night only One night only
# Come on, big baby, come on
# One night only We only have till dawn
# In the morning This feeling will be gone
# It had no chance to go on
# Something so right
# Has got no chance to live
# So let's forget about chances
# It's one night I will give
# Yeah
# One night only Come on, come on
# Come on, come on Come on, come on
# Come on
# Yeah. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Yeah! Wow!
Disco-tastic! So good.
WHISTLES
Pufferfish, the vocal range - that was stunning.
Me and Davina kept looking at each other like, "Wow."
The obvious clue was Windy City.
Chicago is known as the Windy City.
Who has been in Chicago?
I'm still going for the, like, pop princess route.
I've written a few names down, like maybe a Pixie Lott.
APPLAUSE
Suzanne Shaw was in Chicago.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Nicole Scherzinger was also in Chicago.
Yeah, that's a good guess. So...
I'm going with her.
Give it up for Pufferfish! Yeah!
So good.
Wow, what a fin-tastic night!
I hope this pufferfish blew everyone away enough to make it to the final.
OK, who's gonna be in the grand final,
and who's gonna be unmasked?
Find out after the break.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
# Who's that behind the mask? #
Welcome back to the semi-final.
Wolf, Bush, Dressed Crab and Pufferfish
have given it absolutely everything.
But now, the power lies with our studio audience.
The act that receives the fewest votes will be unmasked
and just miss out on a place in next week's grand final.
While our studio audience vote,
here is a reminder of tonight's performances.
# Hit the road, Jack
# And don't you come back no more No more, no more, no more... #
# I thought, hey, I can leave I can leave
# Oh, but now I know that I was wrong... #
# They come, they come
# To build a wall between us... #
# Come on, come on
# Yeah. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
The results are in.
I can reveal that, in no particular order,
the masked singers going through to the grand final are...
AUDIENCE SHOUT OUT NAMES
..Dressed Crab...
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
..Wolf!
Yes!
That means, Pufferfish and Bush,
one of you will be going through to the final,
and the other will be unmasked.
The third and final masked singer
to reach the grand final is...
..Pufferfish!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Oh!
Congratulations, Pufferfish!
Give it up for our three finalists, everybody.
Our finalists for this year.
Yeah!
Bush, everyone! Give it up for Bush, baby.
I'm sorry to say your time on The Masked Singer
has come to an end. Aww.
And very soon, you'll be removing your mask.
But first, panel, who do you think it is?
Richard. Miriam Margolyes.
You're going Miriam Margolyes? Yeah.
Davina, who do you think it is? Morgana Robinson.
You're going Morgana.
Maya Jama? I think it's Maisie Smith.
You're going Maisie Smith? Yeah. Interesting. OK.
Jonathan. I'm sticking with soaps,
but I'm going Coronation Street and Holby City.
I think it's Angela Griffin. Angela Griffin!
Some great names there. The audience agree with that one.
But there's only one way to find out.
Bush, who's behind the mask? Everyone...
CHANTING: Take it off! Take it off!
Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!
Take it off! Take it off!
Take it off!
Take it off! Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!
It's Natalie Cassidy! DAVINA SQUEALS
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE It's Natalie Cassidy.
Oh, my gosh!
Of course it's you.
We should have got Natalie. So close.
Actress, EastEnders legend.
Miriam! I've longed to see you again.
LAUGHTER That is wild.
You were all wrong. I was nowhere near there.
Well, you say that, but you were really making me laugh. Oh, my gosh.
Because Morgana does the impression of me.
Oh, my God, she does! So you were very, very close.
I am such a fan. You are literally an icon.
Oh, bless you. Honestly, I love you.
I want to call you Sonia, like, "Sonia!"
I can't believe you're here and you're a bush.
LAUGHTER
And it makes sense because you were a nurse in EastEnders as well.
I was thinking Holby City, and I went the Corrie route.
Nearly there. Wasn't there even some Ricky reference?
I've just done a little voice-over for Ricky Gervais.
Or it could have been for, "Ricky!" That's what I was thinking!
How much fun did you have with the character?
It's been one of the best jobs I've ever done.
Oh! Thank you. Absolutely amazing.
What do you think your kids are gonna say?
Well, I think my little one will love it.
My little Alfie, my great-nephew, loves the show,
so he's going to be thrilled. Oh, my God.
And I think my 14-year-old, it's gonna go either way.
LAUGHTER
She's either gonna say, "Mum, I'm really proud of you,"
or, "This is the most embarrassing thing for me ever."
LAUGHTER
I just love that we just revealed that Natalie Cassidy is a bush
in front of Richard E Grant.
What the hell is going on? Perfect.
Thank you so for being on the show. Thank you.
Natalie's been amazing. Incredible. Thank you so much.
So good! That's it for the semi-final.
Join us next week for the grand final.
The AfterMask is on ITVX,
and don't forget to head to the website
to find out more about our competition.
But now, singing us out unmasked,
at last, ladies and gentlemen, it's Natalie Cassidy!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE You're amazing.
# I'm nothing special In fact, I'm a bit of a bore
# If I tell a joke
# You've probably heard it before
# But I have a talent A wonderful thing
# Everyone listens
# When I start to sing
# So I say
# Thank you for the music
# The songs I'm singing
# Thanks for all the joy They're bringing
# Who can live without it?
# I ask in all honesty
# What would life be?
# Without a song or a dance What are we?
# So I say Thank you for the music
# For giving it... #
To me. LAUGHS
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Lovely. Lovely.
Natalie Cassidy, everybody!
ANNOUNCER:
..it's The Masked Singer grand final!
That's amazing.
Three remain.
Woo-hoo!
# You're unbelievable... #
Aw! Yeah!
Only one can be crowned Masked Singer champion.
What a legend!
That was so good, it blew me socks off.
Oh, my gosh. LAUGHTER
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