06 February 2024 , 13:57
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Long Lost Family host Nicky Campbell left Masked Singer viewers stunned when he was unveiled as Dippy Egg.
The TV host, 62, also left his former co-host Davina McCall flabbergasted when he removed his colourful mask. ITV viewers watched as judge Davina rushed onto the stage of the hit show and gave him a huge hug. “I was in total shock. I cannot believe I didn’t recognise his voice, the way he moves or any of the clues. Not in a million years would I have guessed it. It’s embarrassing," she later told The Mirror.
And appearing on Tuesday's instalment of Loose Women, Nicky revealed that appearing on the show brought him the "laughs" and "fun" he needed after what he described as "one of the most difficult years of his life". In recent years, Nicky has bravely opened up about the traumatic abuse he suffered and witnessed as a schoolboy in Scotland.
Nicky opened up about the hardest year of his life last year (ITV1)Last year, a number of individuals came forward to accuse former Edinburgh Academy teacher Iain Wares, 83, of abusing dozens of boys during the 1960s and 1970s. Nicky was a pupil at the fee-paying Edinburgh-based school, from the ages of five to 17, a time period that spanned between 1966 and 1978.
Giving evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry last, Nicky alleged that he saw Wares sexually assaulting a primary-age child in the showers, an incident which has "haunted" him ever since. Wares' identity was made public following arguments from the media and after SNP MP Ian Blackford named him in the House of Commons.
Three new celebrities are set to join The Masked Singer panel this weekend
Just before Christmas, five men, aged between 69 and 90, were charged in connection with alleged, non-recent, abuse incidents at Edinburgh Academy. Following the arrests, Nicky decided to appear on The Masked Singer to bring some light back into his year. Opening up about his decision to join the show, he told the Loose Women panel today: "I knew it was what I needed. I knew it would be a laugh - and it was magical."
When asked by Loose lady Brenda Edwards how Nicky took care of his mental wellbeing last year, the TV star said: "This is still something I need to have a look at, but it’s good to talk. The Masked Singer was a good thing to have a laugh and it was really good for me."
He had wanted to take part in the show as he loves it, saying: “I can kind of sing so when the opportunity came up, I thought, “Yeah”.
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
The Masked Singer Episode 7, Saturday Feb 10 at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.