Davina McCall shocks The Masked Singer viewers as she is unmasked as Star on the Christmas Special after having brain surgery

Davina McCall has left fans of The Masked Singer completely shocked when she was unmasked as the star of Thursday’s Christmas Special episode following brain surgery.

The 57-year-old presenter, who has appeared as a judge for six series on the hit show, has clearly picked up a few tricks as she was voted in second place after performing two festive tunes, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and This Christmas.

Davina looked great as she returned to TV after undergoing surgery to remove a rare, benign tumor on her brain.

Regular panelists Jonathon Ross, 64, and Mo Gilligan, 36, were stunned when they were joined by guest judges Jennifer Saunders, 66, and Dawn French, 67.

Jonathan said: ‘That’s absolutely not possible, we thought you couldn’t sing very well. I’m glad you’re doing well, but to me you’re dead now.”

Joel added, “I said you had diarrhea and couldn’t be here.”

Davina replied, “I thought you might give me the DVD version. It was a blast, thank you!’

The presenter put on an incredible performance before jumping across the stage for joy in her amazing costume.

She later donned a glittering red dress as she appeared on panel for winner Holly Johnson’s final performance dressed as the Nutcracker.

Davina later said the show was ‘one of the greatest experiences of my life’ as she explained how she had so much ‘fun’ on the other side of the show.

She said: ‘I’ve learned so much and now really respect, even more than I did, the people taking part in the series because it’s eight shows, that’s a lot of songs to learn.

“First, I’ve been hiding a secret from my kids all summer. Twice Holly and Chester asked me why I sang Christmas carols.

‘Also from the panel, Maya [Jama] asked me if I could sing and I said, ‘Absolutely not, I would never do this show.’ Harriet Rose asked me while filming The Aftermask, our spin-off show, if I would ever do the show and I said no! The ruse was quite funny, because in my head I thought: one day you will all see it.’

Davina explained how she got away with the huge secret, saying it was the ‘craziest ruse’ she has ever pulled off.

She continued: “Texting the bosses at 8am who were clearly working on it but I had to text them and tell them I had to miss the taping of the Christmas special. They had to text the entire production team and tell them.

‘I know this is all happening in the building next door, but there I am in a please Don’t Speak To Me T-shirt with a balaclava on. It was just the craziest trick I’ve ever done.

‘I didn’t expect to enjoy the whole singing process as much as I did. I have booked a singing lesson for after the show is recorded and I will continue singing. Just for myself, not to sing or do anything, but just because I liked it!’

Davina explained why she decided to take part: ‘I got the text from the executive producer and it arrived while I was looking at my phone, so I literally read the first three words and typed back yes!

“It’s one of those bucket list things that you think I’ll never do because I’m on the panel. That made it so much fun and I thought: I can’t refuse this. This is too good an opportunity to miss.”

Host Joel added: “It was so exciting! I definitely didn’t know it was Davina. She lied to me to my face. She texted me and said she had severe diarrhea but that wasn’t the case, she was even wearing a costume. Angry! I’ll never trust her again!’

Fans quickly rushed to tell X that they were also surprised by Davina’s performance on the show.

“Davina McCall is a superstar, okay! She has a beautiful singing voice that I didn’t know yet!; Davina McCall can sing so well OMG?!; Davina McCall is a star! No way!’.

It comes next Davina has been very outspoken about her health issues and recently gave an emotional update in an Instagram video, urging others to get private health checks if they can afford them.

The My Mum Your Dad presenter had her tumor collected at a private clinic after she was offered a health check after taking part in a talk on menopause.

Elsewhere on The Masked Singer, Josie Gibson admitted she was completely ‘out of her comfort zone’ as she became the first celebrity as Cracker to be unmasked on the hit ITV show.

Judge Jonathan admitted: ‘I wouldn’t have guessed that!’

The This Morning presenter, who sang The Ronettes’ Sleigh Ride, said: ‘I’m so far out of my comfort zone. The cooking reference is from when I cooked with the stars.

‘I really stepped out of my comfort zone and had to give everything. I can’t believe no one thought I was Adele.’

Fans were in ‘total shock’ as Josie became the first celebrity to be unmasked, as she admitted they ‘never would have guessed her’.

“I never would have guessed Josie; Cracker was Josie Gibson! I couldn’t have guessed that at all; Oh wow!! Didn’t expect that; Josie Gibson would never have guessed;

‘Total shock from Josie!; OMG JOSIE GIBSON. I’m absolutely crying. Yeah, I’m not even close to my guess’.

Elsewhere, Turkey was revealed to be Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse as she sang Wonderful Christmastime.

And 2024 Christmas winner was crowned Holly Johnson as the Nutcracker, who admitted he ‘can’t believe’ he took part in the show.

Host Joel Dommett returns to the 2025 series, while Rita Ora is replaced by Maya Jama.

This marks Maya’s first role in a primetime ITV1 show, following her huge success as Love Island presenter.

Speaking about taking part in the show, Maya said: ‘I’m such a fan of Masked Singer, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan and Mo – and of course working with Joel – is going to be so much fun!

“I can’t wait to find out who’s underneath all those incredible costumes, experience their performances and have a front-row seat to the unmaskings.

“I’ve been watching the show for a long time, so I’m definitely bringing my A-game to the panel!”

A source also told The Sun: ‘This is a huge deal for Maya, who is now one of telly’s fastest rising stars.

‘It puts her in front of a huge Saturday evening audience every week in a show watched by everyone from children to pensioners.

‘So far she has a following that is very young thanks to Love Island, but signing to The Masked Singer would take her career to a whole new level.’

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure will be a new guest judge on the series, joining regulars Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall.

Last season the show was won by McFly’s Danny Jones, who was behind the Piranha costume.

Runners-up were The Last Leg co-host Alex Brooker (as Bigfoot) and singer Lemar (as Cricket).

Previous winners of the show include Busted’s Charlie Simpson, Torn singer Natalie Imbruglia, Grammy Award-winning artist Joss Stone and Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts.

With over 37 million viewers since its launch in 2020, the show remains a must-watch.

At the time of writing, the popular show has been renewed for another season, likely to air in 2026.

The Masked Singer Christmas Special airs on 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player and the new series The Masked Singer begins Saturday, January 4 at 7:00 PM.