The lights dimmed, the audience held its collective breath, and then—bam!—the iconic oversized head of Red Panda cracked open like a cosmic egg. Beneath the fluffy red fur, the mischievous eyes, and the panda ears sat none other than British comedy legend Harry Hill. Yes, that Harry Hill: the man who turned Saturday-night telly into a surreal playground with Harry Hill’s TV Burp, the dry-witted narrator of You’ve Been Framed!, and the cheeky host who’s been making audiences snort-laugh for decades. In the latest episode of ITV’s The Masked Singer UK, aired on Saturday, January 31, 2026, Red Panda was unmasked after a valiant run that saw the character narrowly miss the semi-finals. The revelation sent shockwaves through social media, with fans erupting in a mix of vindication, disbelief, and pure glee. “Finally I can stop guessing Harry Hill for every contestant ever,” one viewer tweeted. Another quipped, “It had to actually BE Harry Hill eventually.” After years of false alarms and wild speculation on every series, the prophecy fulfilled itself in the most gloriously chaotic way possible. This wasn’t just an elimination; it was a cultural full-circle moment that reignited love for both the show and one of Britain’s most enduring comedic talents.
The Masked Singer UK has become a national obsession since its debut in 2020, blending high-stakes guessing games with jaw-dropping vocal performances and elaborate costumes that transform celebrities into larger-than-life characters. Hosted by the ever-energetic Joel Dommett, the format features a rotating panel of judges—Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan—who dissect cryptic clues, vocal tics, and body language to unmask the stars. Each week, masked performers belt out chart-toppers while the audience and panel vote, with the lowest-scoring contestant facing elimination and the big reveal. The 2026 series, kicking off on January 3, has been particularly electric, featuring guest judges like Olly Murs (who doubled as the “double agent” Mole) and a roster of disguises that kept viewers glued to their screens.
Red Panda entered the competition late and with drama. The character was originally slated for the opening episode but was dramatically pulled just hours before air due to a tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar in Switzerland on New Year’s Eve, which claimed around 40 lives. The delay only heightened anticipation. When Red Panda finally debuted last month, the performance was electric: a raucous rendition of Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell. The judges were immediately thrown. Davina McCall leaned toward comedian Alan Carr, citing the distinctive voice and comedic timing. Jonathan Ross floated other names, while Mo Gilligan—fresh off incorrectly guessing Harry Hill for a contestant in the previous series—stayed cautious. Viewers, however, zeroed in almost instantly. Social media lit up with “It’s Harry Hill” theories, memes of Hill’s signature big-collared shirts photoshopped onto the panda costume, and endless clips comparing Red Panda’s delivery to Hill’s deadpan TV Burp commentary.
The clues were, in hindsight, screamingly obvious—yet brilliantly disguised in true Masked Singer fashion. Red Panda’s video packages were packed with Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. One VT featured a makeup artist dancing in rave gear, a direct nod to Hill’s early-90s show Harry Hill’s ClubNite, a cult favorite that blended stand-up with absurd sketches. Another clue showed a can of “XL tomato soup,” referencing the cover art of his DVD Harry Hill’s Cream of TV Burp. Even the costume itself hid secrets: a clapperboard accessory pointed toward The Harry Hill Movie (2013), Hill’s feature-length adventure that mixed live-action with animation. Vocal performances further betrayed him—Red Panda’s quirky phrasing, exaggerated enunciation, and penchant for unexpected comedic flourishes were pure Hill. Yet the panel, perhaps blinded by the sheer audacity of it being the Harry Hill, kept circling around red herrings like Alan Carr.
In the elimination episode, Red Panda took the stage for what would be their final performance: a high-energy cover of The Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling. The upbeat track suited the panda’s playful vibe, with Hill injecting his signature whimsy—complete with exaggerated dance moves that had the audience roaring. Guest judge Olly Murs, making his panel debut after his Mole stint, locked eyes during the performance and confidently declared, “That’s Harry Hill.” When the votes came in, Red Panda landed in the bottom, sealing their fate. As the mask came off to thunderous applause, Hill emerged grinning ear-to-ear, his trademark oversized glasses slightly askew. “I must quickly apologise to Alan Carr,” he deadpanned, referencing the weeks of mistaken-identity rumors that had Carr trending for all the wrong reasons. Hill’s wife, he revealed with a chuckle, had once burst into the rehearsal room thinking he was “choking on a Pot Noodle” during a particularly intense vocal run.
Harry Hill, born Harry Frederick Hill on October 1, 1964, in Woking, Surrey, has been a fixture on British television for over three decades. Trained as a doctor before ditching medicine for comedy, Hill burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with Channel 4’s Harry Hill. His big break came with TV Burp (2001–2012), a satirical review show that dissected the week’s telly with razor-sharp wit, celebrity impressions, and absurd tangents. The program won multiple BAFTAs and became a Saturday-night staple, spawning catchphrases like “Which? Was? Best?” and Hill’s infamous “Cow” interruptions. After TV Burp ended, Hill narrated ITV’s You’ve Been Framed! from 2004 to 2022, turning home-video mishaps into comedic gold with his dry narration. Since 2019, he’s hosted the Channel 4 spin-off Junior Bake Off, bringing his gentle chaos to a new generation of young bakers.
Hill’s decision to join The Masked Singer feels like a perfect fit. Known for his love of absurdity and self-deprecating humor, he embraced the anonymity with glee. In post-reveal interviews, he described the experience as “liberating”—no pressure to be “on” all the time, just the joy of singing badly (or brilliantly, depending on who you ask) without the spotlight of his face. “I wanted to do something completely different,” he told host Joel Dommett. “And where else can you dress as a red panda and belt out Meat Loaf?” The reveal also closed a long-running in-joke among fans. For years, Hill’s name has been floated for almost every masked celebrity—his distinctive voice and comedic delivery making him a perennial suspect. Mo Gilligan’s wrong guess last series only fueled the meme. Now, with the real Harry Hill unmasked, the internet can finally rest.
Fan reactions poured in immediately. Twitter (now X) exploded with “I KNEW IT” posts, side-by-side voice comparisons, and tributes to Hill’s career. “Harry Hill on Masked Singer is the crossover we didn’t know we needed,” one user wrote. Another: “The clues were everywhere and we still doubted—classic.” The episode’s double reveal—first Olly Murs as Mole, then Hill as Red Panda—kept viewers buzzing. Murs, fresh from his panel stint, correctly nailed Hill, earning cheers from the judges. Davina McCall called it “the most satisfying unmasking ever,” while Jonathan Ross joked about needing therapy after weeks of wrong guesses.
The Masked Singer UK thrives on these moments: the build-up of mystery, the joy of recognition, the sheer spectacle. Red Panda’s run, though cut short before the semi-finals (set for the following week), added a layer of pure fun to the 2026 series. With costumes like Can of Worms, Toastie, Conkers, Moth, and Sloth still in play, the competition heats up. But for many, Harry Hill’s unmasking was the highlight—a reminder that even legends enjoy stepping out of character (or into one) for a bit of silly, joyful chaos.
As the credits rolled and Hill waved goodbye in his panda suit remnants, one thing was clear: Britain’s comedy king had delivered yet another unforgettable performance. Whether crooning Black Eyed Peas or skewering bad telly, Harry Hill remains one of a kind. And now, thanks to a red panda costume, we’ve seen him in an entirely new light—fluffy, fabulous, and forever iconic.
