21 January 2024 , 20:32
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The Masked Singer’s Julia Sawalha feared viewers would cry “fix” when she was revealed during pal Jennifer Saunders’ guest judging slot.
Julia, 55, admitted she was worried her Absolutely Fabulous co-star would recognise her instantly, explaining: “I said, ‘She’s going to know my walk, know how I sound.’” But Jennifer, 65, was stunned Bubble Tea, who sang Chic’s Le Freak, was Julia, declaring: “What are you doing, darling?”
“I was saying to her afterwards, ‘People will think it’s fixed,’” Julia added. “She said, ‘Not when they see my face. I had absolutely no idea!’”
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Julia, who played Saffy Monsoon in the BBC sitcom, said she almost pulled out of the ITV competition when nerves hit. “When I was first being walked through the tunnel, I had this moment where the production team were being so kind and I had a fight or flight moment,” she said. I felt like a four year old, I wanted to run. I’ve never been so terrified in my entire career. So, I nearly burst into tears and thought, ‘No, it’s ridiculous, isn’t it?’. I just had to pull myself together.”
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Julia's Bubble Tea costume (ITV)And Julia said she used Jennifer’s presence to help spur her on. She said: “It’s weird how the stars align. I could just about make her out. I thought, ‘There’s someone I know.’ It’s lovely. She didn’t know, but I knew, it didn’t intimidate me at all. Completely the opposite.” She added: “The whole process is liberating. I do love this show. It’s so addictive, and look at me.”
- The Masked Singer continues on Saturday on ITV at 7pm.