Masked Singer star feared fix scandal after shock twist before show exit

21 January 2024 , 20:32

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Julia Sawalha was Bubble Tea on the show (Image: ITV)

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.

Ashleigh Rainbird