Los Angeles, CA – The latest celebrity to be unmasked on the hit show “The Masked Singer” has been revealed to be none other than Shirley Ballas, the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing. Ballas, known as the “Queen of Latin,” was sent home during the third episode of the ITV1 competition. In this unique show, famous contestants sing while disguised in elaborate costumes.
Ballas was unmasked by host Joel Dommett after landing in the bottom two alongside Dippy Eggy, following a public vote. The panel of judges, consisting of Olly Murs, Mo Gilligan, and Davina McCall, ultimately chose to save Dippy Eggy. Prior to the reveal, the judges had speculated that Rat could be Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney, Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer, reality TV star Kerry Katona, or Doctor Who actress Jodie Whittaker.
After her elimination, Ballas expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, “I was very flattered actually because I just don’t sing at all, and some of the people that you were saying, was like, wow! It was one of the best times of my life. It was way out of my comfort zone, and I totally loved it.”
Ballas, a renowned dancer, explained that she participated in the show to challenge herself and step outside her comfort zone. Her background in dance helped her stay in tune throughout her performances on the show. She also mentioned being surprised that her talk show host friend, Ross, did not recognize her as Rat, despite having been on his shows and discussing clues related to her.
Reflecting on her portrayal of Rat, Ballas acknowledged that the character may come as a surprise to the nation, as it is not typically considered a feminine character. She shared that the costume’s head was challenging to perform in due to the heat and claustrophobic feeling it generated. Nevertheless, she expressed deep affection for Rat, stating, “The best thing is that I’ve fallen in love with Rat and actually don’t want to leave him. I want him to be in my house. He’s a character I will hold close to my heart forever. I enjoyed my journey with Rat.”
“The Masked Singer” continues to captivate audiences, airing every Saturday at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX, and STV. The show promises more surprises and thrilling reveals as the competition unfolds.
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Shirley Ballas, the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, has been unmasked as Rat on “The Masked Singer.” Despite being eliminated during the third episode, Ballas described her time on the show as one of the best experiences of her life. She participated to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone, drawing on her background as a dancer to stay in tune. “The Masked Singer” continues to entertain audiences, airing on ITV1, ITVX, and STV every Saturday at 7pm.