Jonathan Ross has revealed that all The Masked Singer judges have taken a pay cut.
The TV presenter, 60, said that when asked by ITV to accept lower pay for the next season which starts filming in October, he and his fellow stars – Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Rita Ora – all ‘happily, immediately said yes.’
Elsewhere in his interview with The Mirror, Jonathan teased the identities of the show’s three remaining contestants and admitted that he didn’t have a clue who was behind Badger although ‘the younger crowd’ might know him.
‘We immediately said yes’: Jonathan Ross has revealed that all of the The Masked Singer judges have taken a pay cut for the next series
Jonathan said: ‘ITV is funded by advertising and revenue hasn’t been as much as it has in previous years. So they’ve asked people to take cuts, and all of us very happily, immediately said yes, to taking a cut on our wages…
‘We love doing it, I’m looking forward to doing it again because it’s a fun way to spend the evening.’
The hit series is set to start filming its third season later this year after seeing huge success with its second, which finishes on Saturday.
Turning his attention to the three remaining celebrities – Badger, Robin and Sausage- Jonathan said viewers will be guessing right up until the end.
Who could it be: The TV host, 60, also admitted that he didn’t guess Badger’s identity at all but teased the ‘younger generation’ will know who it is on Saturday’s final
He admitted: ‘Badger is one I didn’t get… because of [my] age. I think that it’s one the younger crowd will know.’
Previously Jonathan has considered Louis Walsh or Chris Moyles as being under the costume however other names in the running include Strictly’s Kevin Clifton.
As for Robin, the talk show host has already pondered the possibility of James Blunt or Big Narstie but bookies think its more likely to be Aston Merrygold or Olly Murs.
While when it comes to Sausage, Jonathan had stuck by his early guess of Sheridan Smith but then started to think it might be Stacey Solomon.
Finalists: Sausage and Robin are the other two characters yet to be unmasked with stars such as Sheridan Smith and Stacey Solomon, James Blunt and Aston Merrygold previously being suggested as them
Jonathan also admitted he’s been playing along with the show while watching it at home with his wife Jane Goldman, egging her on when she’s on the right lines.
He added that it’ difficult to guess who the celebs are as the judges are told to always be talking in the studio although he added that he might take some of the clues ‘too seriously’, hindering his success at guessing correctly.
Jonathan added that he’s had lots of fun filming The Masked Singer and was particularly amused by Badger’s performance to Smells Like Teen Spirit last week.
He explained to The Mirror that he once met Kurt Cobain of NIrvana and thinks the singer would have thought ‘you’d lost your mind’ if he’d been told the premise of The Masked Singer 25 years ago.
Love the show: Speaking about the pay cut, Jonathan said: ‘ITV is funded by advertising and revenue hasn’t been as much as it has in previous years. So they’ve asked people to take cuts’ (the judges are pictured on The Masked Singer with host Joel Dommett)
Celebrities already unmasked include Lenny Henry, who turned out to be Blob and Sue Perkins was Dragon.
On Saturday Gabrielle was unveiled as Harlequin after all the judges bar Davina McCall – who thought it was Emeli Sande – named her as their guess.
It comes amid reports that Rita Ora is the only judge currently appearing on The Masked Singer who has not been asked back for spin-off series The Masked Dancer.
The singer, 30, filmed the show last September, before she had to apologise for breaking Covid rules after throwing a birthday party in London and jetting to Egypt
A source has now claimed that TV bosses are considering Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, 30, as her replacement, while the other judges and host Joel Dommett will remain in their roles.
The source told The Mirror: ‘Viewers have been watching Rita on Saturday nights for weeks, but the Masked Singer was recorded way before her birthday bash at the end of November.
‘Such a lot of effort goes into keeping the talent and crew safe while making it – many people felt let down by the way Rita behaved. She has not done herself any favours.’
However a source close to Rita claimed the snub was a scheduling issue, telling MailOnline: ‘It’s common knowledge that she’s in Australia and will be filming The Voice for the next few months.
Claims: It comes after it was reported that Rita Ora is the only judge currently appearing on The Masked Singer who has not been asked back for ITV’s spin-off series The Masked Dancer