The Masked Singer Viewers Blast Jonathan Ross Error After He Guesses Dead Star

ITV has now apologised after the judge mistakenly believed "Daisy" was Natalie Cole, who died in 2015.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

Viewers of The Masked Singer have blasted the show after judge Jonathan Ross mistakenly suggested that a singer who has died could be one of the celebrities taking part.

Following the performance “Daisy”, Jonathan guessed her real identity was singer and daughter of jazz musician Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole.

The Masked Singer judge Jonathan Ross
The Masked Singer judge Jonathan Ross
ITV

However, viewers soon noted that Natalie had actually been dead for over four years, having died at the age of 65 in 2015 due to congestive heart failure.

Natalie Cole died in 2015
Natalie Cole died in 2015
EMPICS Entertainment

Many viewers complained about Jonathan’s error, especially as the show is pre-recorded, meaning there had been an opportunity to edit it out.

I’d certainly be choosing people who are alive. Natalie Cole?!?! How did you let that be broadcast? 🙈

— David Lee (@grumpydaddavid) January 25, 2020

Erm, Jonathan Ross just guessed Natalie Cole, who famously and sadly died in 2015. And ITV kept it in. On a show that is pre-recorded. HOW? #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/mq3NPWGgVF

— Tom Eames (@eamezey) January 25, 2020

So disrespectful of @itvstudios to put Natalie Cole photo up too #TheMaskedSingeruk SMH https://t.co/AAlCG36GtP

— Elaine Grell (@originalElaine) January 25, 2020

To suggest that Daisy could be Natalie Cole is outrageous - should have been edited before screening. The beautiful Ms Cole sadly passed away NYE 2015. I'm still in shock at this clanger... #MaskedSingerUK

— B D Harris (@beverooni21) January 25, 2020

What a stupid suggestion from Jonathan Ross. Oh yeah it could be a woman singing on this show that died in 2015. #NatalieCole pic.twitter.com/2Jl7xvqeaA

— John Evans (@RKO_JPL7) January 25, 2020

Cant believe you are putting Nataloe coles picture up there as a guess when she is dead. How ridiculous ITV. And idiot Ross

— JJO (@Jjofromtheblock) January 25, 2020

To make matters worse, the mistake was also repeated on The Masked Singer’s official Twitter account, where they even tagged in Natalie’s legacy account – although the post has since been deleted.

Oh dear... they even tagged Natalie Cole who died in 2015. #MaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/Si1RxJ9nmy

— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) January 25, 2020

Following the error, ITV issued an apology, with a spokesperson saying: “This was a genuine mistake by the panel. We apologise if this caused any upset to viewers.”

“Daisy” was unmasked at the end of the show after being voted off.

Daisy on The Masked Singer
Daisy on The Masked Singer
ITV

It was revealed that US singer Kelis was the star behind the voice, which judge Rita Ora had correctly guessed.

Explaining why she took part in the show, Kelis said: “People have just been telling me my voice was distinct my whole career, so I thought, well let’s see just how distinct it is.”

The clues that pointed to Kelis’s identity included those about food, because she is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and those relating to jazz, as her late father Kenneth Rogers was a jazz musician.

Kelis was unmasked as Daisy
Kelis was unmasked as Daisy
ITV

Ex-footballer Teddy Sheringham, The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins, former home secretary Alan Johnson and EastEnders star Patsy Palmer have been unmasked in the series so far.

The Masked Singer continues next Saturday at 7pm on ITV.

Close

What's Hot