The latest series of ITV's The Masked Singer has introduced a charming new character who has quickly captured the audience's affection. Conkers, despite a spiky exterior, delivered a heartwarming debut performance that left the panel both puzzled and enamoured.
Clues and Conundrums: Decoding Conkers' VT
In their first appearance, which aired on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Conkers performed a rendition of Nice To Meet You by Myles Smith. The accompanying video tape (VT) was packed with symbolic imagery and verbal hints for the panel—Joel Dommett, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan—to decipher.
The clues presented a strong medieval theme, featuring castles and knights. The song Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran played, while Maya Jama specifically noted a reference to Sir Lancelot. Conkers described themselves as "up for any challenge" but admitted to a tendency to "hide in a shell," suggesting a potentially shy celebrity. The bold statement, "ghosts don't scare me," added another layer to the mystery.
The Top Suspects: Who Could Be Inside the Costume?
The panel and fans have floated several compelling names based on the clue package.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe emerged as a top guess, primarily from Maya Jama. The actor is famous for his role as Mike Cooper in the hit BBC sitcom Ghosts (2019-2023), which directly ties to the supernatural clue. His extensive comedy work on shows like Stath Lets Flats also fits the show's pattern of casting versatile performers.
Mark Ronson was suggested by Mo Gilligan, who focused on verbal hints like "hit the mark." The theory posits that the "shell" comment could refer to a behind-the-scenes producer or DJ who lets other artists shine on his tracks, much like Ronson does. His global hit Uptown Funk has even featured on the show before.
A more outside-the-box theory points to Santiago Cabrera. The actor played Sir Lancelot in the BBC's Merlin, aligning perfectly with the knightly clues. Furthermore, his role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) as a deceased character could explain the ghost references.
Wild Guesses and Fan Theories
The clues have inspired a wide range of guesses. Jonathan Ross humorously suggested Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. Guest judge Matt Lucas, unveiled in episode two, proposed broadcaster Andrew Castle or TV presenter Andy Peters. Davina McCall wondered about Martin Freeman.
On social media, speculation runs rampant. Some fans believe it's Olly Murs deliberately disguising his voice, while others have guessed diver Tom Daley or TV host Ben Shephard. The diversity of guesses shows how effectively Conkers' identity has been concealed.
Conkers successfully navigated their first performance and even gifted real conkers to host Joel Dommett. The Masked Singer continues this Saturday at 7pm on ITV1, where more clues will hopefully bring us closer to unmasking this enigmatic and adorable character.
