Poodle is unmasked as Tom Chaplin on tonight’s The Masked Singer

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Tonight Robobunny, Doughnuts, Firework, Panda, Traffic Cone, Mushroom, Poodle and Rockhopper all performed. Each of their songs were a clue to their identity.

The panel had to decide who to save between Poodle and Robobunny.

Jonathan Ross revealed it was Poodle who was to be unmasked and they were revealed to be Keane lead singer Tom Chaplin.

Q&A:

Had you watched The Masked Singer before?

Yes, we watched a lot of the last series together as a family (with my seven-year-old daughter). It’s such a mad concept and unlike any other Saturday night TV, which feels like a rarity in this day and age.

Did you have a favourite previous character?

I thought Sue Perkins was great as Dragon. Badger and Sausage were pretty brilliant too.

What made you decide to take on the challenge?

I’ve got to a point in my life where I don’t take myself too seriously anymore. I think that’s pretty important if you’re going to dress up as a seven foot multicoloured poodle. I’ve also become much more interested in embracing different challenges - being in a band is like living on a little island, so it’s good to try things that are out of your comfort zone!

How hard is it to keep the secret?

I thought it would be a lot harder but I got the knack of speaking in code pretty quickly. I spend most of my time living in the middle of the Kent countryside with my little family, so keeping quiet has mostly been a case of not spilling the beans to my daughter when she’s been quizzical about me disappearing early in the morning and returning late at night.

How excited are you for the big reveal and who do you think amongst your friends/family will be the most surprised?

I’m looking forward to seeing people’s reactions to the big reveal. The panel were totally flummoxed as to who I was (aside from getting stuck on the idea I was Mika), so it’ll be interesting to see if anyone twigs before the reveal. I look forward to stringing them along if they get suspicious!

What did you think of your mask, your overall look and the character you got to play?

One of the prerequisites of doing the show was that I had to be a poodle. My wife had a poodle who lived to 17 and was an integral part of our lives, so it seemed like the perfect choice.

Did you have a say in what your costume looked like?

Absolutely. I was involved every step of the way.

How about the clue packages - what kind of input did you have on those and do you have a favourite nugget of information from them?

I was so wrapped up in the actual performance that I have to say I can’t really remember the clues. It was fun putting on a ridiculous voice and leading everyone astray. Above all, the puns available when you’re playing a dog were the highlight.

Were there any nerves when you first performed as your character or did being hidden inside the costume make you feel more confident?

On one hand it’s quite liberating because you only need to worry about the singing and movement that you make. However, you get two minutes and one take to get it right, so it’s incredibly stressful pouring all your energy into that short moment.

What did you think of the panel’s guesses?

Hopeless! Amongst the guesses were Snoop Dogg, Grayson Perry and a vague suggestion that I simply must be a drag queen! I was kind of flattered that they eventually got stuck on Mika, who’s a great singer and performer. I have to admit to being surprised that Jonathan didn’t have an inkling it was me, especially given that I must have been on his TV show several times over the years.

If you could wear your mask and costume just one more time what occasion would you choose to wear it to?

I’ll be a happy man if I never have to squeeze my skinny legs into that suit again.

If you could sum up your experience in a song title what would it be?

Charging round a stage with a bunch of fawning cats singing “What’s New Pussycat” will stay with me forever, so I think I’d choose that song for its ridiculousness.

[end]

January 22, 2022 4:18pm ET by ITV Press Centre  

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