Culture

The internet thinks John Barrowman is The Masked Singer’s rainbow-maned unicorn because obviously

Jan 06 2020
Written by Reiss Smith

John Barrowman and The Masked Singer's Unicorn

Famously introverted performer John Barrowman has been accused of moonlighting as The Masked Singer’s Unicorn. (Getty/ITV)

The Masked Singer is without doubt the most bizarre television show to grace screens in recent years. So naturally people think that John Barrowman is part of it.

After years of relative normalcy when it comes to Saturday night television, ITV decided to jump well and truly off the deep end in 2020 with the arrival of The Masked Singer.

The central conceit is simple, if a little strange. Twelve celebrities sing for four judges and a live studio audience while wearing massive, cartoonish costumes that completely hide their identities.

Throughout the performances the judges try to guess who is behind each mask, before choosing one celebrity to reveal themselves and leave the competition.

It is – and we cannot stress this enough – the most incredibly weird thing we’ve seen in some time, and so far the UK appears to be hooked.

The UK currently experiencing an acid trip without even touching any drugs #TheMaskedSingerUK #MaskedSinger #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/VeepwtXOuV

— Francesca ? (@fransbeautyblog) January 4, 2020

#MaskedSinger might be the absolute worst and trashiest piece of TV ever made and if you think I’m going to waste an hour and a half of my life to find out which B-lister is under the Minster’s mask then you’re absolutely fucking right.
— Alex Davies (@lexyyyD) January 5, 2020

the uk: that masked singer looks shite
also the uk: #MaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/MwJyIClWxV

— b99 (@DailyBrooklyn99) January 5, 2020

me: #MaskedSinger is the shittest thing on telly
also me trying to figure out who it is: pic.twitter.com/yU5Uc0fQVN

— katie ? (@katie_lockers) January 5, 2020

More than 5 million viewers tuned in on Saturday, with 4.2 million watching the second episode on Sunday – more than the average of 2.6 million who tuned into the recent X Factor: Celebrity final.

The weekend’s double-bill revealed the first two celebrities as Patsy Palmer of EastEnders fame and former home secretary(!) Alan Johnson.

As for the remaining contestants, the judges’ guesses ranged from Kylie Minogue and Sir Ian McKellen to Angela Lansbury, stars who might be a little above ITV’s talent budget.

On Twitter, viewers took great joy in trying to land a few more realistic guesses, with one name coming up more than any other: John Barrowman.

Unicorn is 100% John Barrowman #MaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/cHel7EPuTV

— Ayesha Marie Mayhew (@ayeshammayhew) January 4, 2020

Swathes of fans are convinced that the Doctor Who actor is the rainbow-maned unicorn, who gave a camp and theatrical rendition of Kate Bush’s ‘Babooshka’.

Barrowman was confronted over his alleged secret identity on Sunday as he made his debut as a judge on ITV’s other big reality show, Dancing on Ice.

Host Phillip Schofield lead the inquisition, saying: “If last night’s show is anything to go by it seems one of our judges is leading a secret life.”

Co-presenter Holly Willoughby continued: “I’m only going to ask you this once: are you or are you not moonlighting as a Kate Bush-loving unicorn?”

Barrowman was sheepish, but viewers needed no further convincing.

As well as Barrowman, viewers are also certain that Courtney Act is taking part in the show.

Act is no stranger to reality TV, having competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Australian Idol, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing With The Stars among other shows.

I really think the octopus is Courtney Act Idk why but I’m just getting a feeling that they’re throwing us off by making it out to be a women but it could be a drag queen #MaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/Y3XtdZBScU
— ❅Alkas̶elsa❅ (@LittleFuckster) January 5, 2020

Incredibly, it also appears that music legend Kelis is moonlighting as The Daisy, who has a similarly raspy tone.