Professor Green Unmasked as ‘The Masked Singer’s’ Tea Bag
The rapper’s identity was revealed early in Sunday night’s episode of the hit ITV singing competition.
- Professor Green was eliminated after performing “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
- The judges failed to guess his identity, despite knowing him personally.
- Alex Jones was previously unmasked as Disc Jockey in the first episode.
London, January 4, 2026 – A major music star was unmasked on Sunday night’s edition of The Masked Singer, sending shockwaves through the studio audience. The celebrity, revealed to be rapper Professor Green, had only just debuted on the seventh series of the ITV singing competition, where famous faces conceal their identities while performing pop classics for a panel of judges including Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan.
Fresh characters including Arctic Fox, Conkers, Monkey Business, Tea Bag, Toastie, and Yak took to the stage for their first performances. After performing Deep Blue Something’s “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” Tea Bag landed in the bottom two alongside Yak. When the judges opted to save Yak, it was time to reveal the star behind the tea bag costume.
After removing the mask, it was revealed that the secret star was none other than Professor Green, the acclaimed rapper who has sold millions of albums and collaborated with artists like Emeli Sande, Lily Allen, and Example throughout his career.
“I can’t believe it, well I can believe it, but I can’t believe it,” he told host Joel Dommett. “I thought people would have enjoyed the Tea-Bag. It was quite scary.” When asked about being eliminated so early, Pro Green, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, expressed his surprise, noting that he personally knows most of the judges, yet none of them correctly guessed his identity.
“Do you know what, I know four of the panel over the last fifteen years. I’ve seen all of them multiple times, and quite regularly at times, and none of them were anywhere near [guessing it was me],” he said. “I was laughing behind the mask. I just thought surely one of them is going to get it. But no one guessed. I got a judge, a rugby player, Sir Trevor McDonald, but I think that was because of the clock; they thought The Ten O’clock News.”
What makes a good Masked Singer contestant? A recognizable voice, a misleading set of clues, and a willingness to embrace the absurdity of performing in a full-body costume.
In the first episode, The One Show star Alex Jones was unmasked as Disc Jockey after performing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” Mo guessed radio legend Annie Mac, while Davina McCall thought it might be Lioness Jill Scott. Guest judge Anne-Marie guessed Dame Mary Berry, and Jonathan Ross suggested BBC Radio 2 star Sara Cox. Maya Jama guessed Bonnie Tyler, but all were ultimately incorrect.
Upon her unmasking, Jones told Dommett and the judges, “I have had a lot of fun. We love this programme, as a family, and I just thought, it would be a lot of fun and that to do it for my children would be wonderful. And it’s the most bizarre experience of my life! Thank you.” She dedicated her performance to her children, Teddy, Kit, and Annie, hoping it would inspire them to overcome their fears.
Other stars still in the competition include Red Panda, Can of Worms, Moth, and Sloth. Monkey Business, Teabag, Toastie, Yak, Arctic Fox, and Conkers will perform for the first time on Sunday night.
This followed Anne-Marie being unmasked as Goldfish, performing as the lead singer of a group called No Trout. After performing Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s “APT,” the judges correctly identified her.
Following her unmasking, she said, “When I was at school, I had a very short attention span! I’m used to the voice just going that way [in front of me] but in the thing, it was like ‘Oh, that’s what I sound like!” She then performed her signature track “2002” for the studio audience, referencing music icons like Britney Spears, Jay-Z, and NSYNC.
The Masked Singer, ITV1/ITVX, Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th January, 6.30pm
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