The guessing game is back in full swing as ITV's The Masked Singer returns for its seventh series, introducing a fresh batch of enigmatic celebrities. The premiere episode on January 4, 2026, hosted by Joel Dommett, delivered two major reveals, leaving the panel—Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan—stunned. Alex Jones was unmasked as Disc Jockey, while pop star Anne-Marie was revealed to be Goldfish.
Yak's Puzzling Performance and Clues
With the season now in full flow, attention has sharply turned to one of the most baffling new contestants: Yak. Following a charming but vocally deceptive performance on the Sunday night episode, the costume has sent fans and panellists down a rabbit hole of theories. The performance suggested a singer, yet the delivery hinted at a possible comedian, thoroughly confusing the experts.
The clues presented for Yak's identity have been particularly eclectic:
- They described themselves as a 'Yak of all trades', with the panel noting strong references to TV shows, giving off nature or travel documentary vibes.
- A clue advising to 'leave your tech behind' potentially points to an event with no phones, like a festival, or a desire to reconnect with the natural world.
- Mo Gilligan spotted a significant reference to 'from dusk till dawn', which could be a nod to the 1996 film or the 2014 TV series of the same name.
Panel Guesses and Fan Theories Run Wild
The studio panel threw out a wide range of guesses based on the cryptic clues. Davina McCall speculated it could be Matt Willis from Busted, who has fronted documentaries with his wife Emma Willis about schools, and she noted he was adept at disguising his singing voice.
Maya Jama leaned into the playful side, suggesting jokey DJ Fatboy Slim. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ross offered praise that hinted at another direction: 'What you lack in talent as a singer you more than make up for with gusto.' This led him to propose actor and comedian Ade Edmondson.
Online, the mystery has sparked just as much debate. Ade Edmondson remains a popular fan pick, but other names swirling in forums and on social media include comedy legends Vic Reeves, Bill Oddie, and Harry Enfield. The breadth of suggestions shows just how effective Yak's disguise has been, blending musical and comedic cues with hints of a broadcasting or documentary background.
The Verdict: A Mystery for Now
With the series continuing, Yak's true identity remains one of the season's most intriguing puzzles. The mix of performance style, vocal disguise, and carefully planted clues has successfully clouded the waters. As always with The Masked Singer, only the eventual unmasking will provide the definitive answer. The Masked Singer continues on ITV1 on Saturdays at 7pm.
