Jonathan Ross jokes about having ’30 people’ over at Christmas after Rita Ora breaks lockdown rules

Jonathan Ross sarcastically said he will have ’30 people in a confined space,’ for Christmas, as he poked fun at his Masked Singer co-star, Rita Ora, for breaking lockdown rules. 

The blonde songstress caused outrage last month when she defied COVID-19 restrictions in London to host her illegal 30th birthday party at a Notting Hill restaurant. 

While promoting the second series of their singing competition, the quick-witted TV host, 60, spoke about his plans over the Christmas period amid new Tier 4 rules.

He said to The Sun on Sunday: ‘I’m going to be observing government restrictions so it will just be me and 30 people in a confined space.

‘Sorry, I meant it’ll just be my family…’

Jonathan will be starring in the next Masked Singer show on Boxing day, alongside Davina McCall, 53, Mo Gilligan, 32, and Rita, despite claims she has fled the country for the remainder of 2020 due to her birthday backlash.  

According to another report by the publication, the singer has jetted to Bulgaria to film a new music video and will stay abroad for the rest of the year. 

This will be the second time she has left the country in recent weeks, having also been caught flying privately to Egypt and not quarantining afterwards.   

A source said: ‘Rita has beaten herself up about her mistakes but has thrown herself back into work to take her mind off things.

‘She spent most of this year working on her music and is now hoping to return with new tracks in early 2021, with the video to one single being filmed at the moment in ­Bulgaria.

‘She doesn’t want to be in ­London right now so has booked a relaxing holiday over Christmas and New Year in the hope she can start afresh in January. Taking some time out to reflect on everything that has happened is very important to her right now.’ 

In spite of her COVID controversy, Rita’s career appears unscathed as she was recently named a new judge on The Voice Australia.

She delightedly confirmed she has been added to the line-up alongside Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, in a revamp of the panel for the 2021 series. 

Speaking of her role, Rita said: ‘I love The Voice and I adore Australia so this is a match made in heaven. Having been a coach on the UK series, I know how powerful it can be in making dreams come true. I can’t wait to find Australia’s next superstar.’ 

As well as her TV and music work, the star also has a number of collaboration and endorsement deals, including big money contracts with EE and JD Sports.