CELEBRITY guessing game The Masked Singer made its highly-anticipated return to our screens in January 2025.
While we are still none the wiser about who will be crowned champion, Tattoo has been unmasked as a huge 80s pop star.
Who is Tattoo on The Masked Singer 2025?
The Masked Singer sees a selection of stars wearing elaborate costumes taking to the stage to sing their hearts out in front of the judges in the hopes of being crowned champion.
As always, viewers have been tasked with working out the identity of twelve colourful characters including Dressed Crab, Snail and Bush.
One contestant who was hoping to be crowned champion of The Masked Singer 2025 was Tattoo.
Tattoo appeared on the very first episode of this series, which aired on Saturday, January 4, 2025, where they performed Murder On The Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
They backed this up with an incredible performance of The Killers hit Human on Saturday, January 18.
Despite some amazing vocals, Tattoo found themselves in the bottom two with Dressed Crab after the audience vote.
The cute character then sang Tina Turner‘s Proud Mary, but the judges chose to save Dressed Crab, meaning Tattoo’s run on the show came to an end.
After shouts of “take if off”, Tattoo was revealed to be huge 80s star Carol Decker from the pop band T’Pau.
Speaking after her exit, the China In Your Hand singer said: “I’ve loved it and I’m going to say, I’m gutted!
“Everybody is amazing. I’m gutted because it’s the best fun ever.”
What were the clues?
Several clues were given about Tattoo’s identity:
- Fishnet tights with framed photo of Natalie Appleton
- A Robin Hood hat
- A four-leaf clover
- Stuffed rabbit
- Too fiery to be hidden
- “I’ve always followed my heart when it comes to my career”
- Mention of “ultimate screen test”
- Next available reservation in five weeks time
- Mum tattoo
Tattoo’s riddle was: “If you want a tattoo, then you surely have heard, you can’t beat a loved one with one special word”.
Who did the judges think Tattoo could be?
In the first episode of the 2025 series, judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross were joined by Sir Mo Farah on the panel.
While there was no consensus between them about who was behind the mask, the judges made a number of guesses.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Watch The Masked Singer’s Dressed Crab belt out Lean On Me – but who is he” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366780032112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]They thought Tattoo could be Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, Emma Bunton, Cheryl, Jessie Wallace or Paloma Faith.
They were no nearer with their guesses after Tattoo’s second performance.
Davina was convinced there were pointers to Doctor Who, and chose Catherine Tate.
Maya selected Lacey Turner, while Jonathan went for Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph.
Guest judge and top diving star Tom Daley thought the famous face was Kym Marsh, but the most outlandish guess came from Mo Gilligan who plumped for Kylie Minogue.
Who did The Masked Singer fans think Tattoo is?
Internet detectives were convinced they knew who Tattoo was on The Masked Singer.
One eagle-eyed viewer believed they had worked out that the star behind the mask was none other than noughties legend Nelly Furtado, listing six clues that the iconic singer was in fact Tattoo.
Taking to Reddit the super-fan penned: “I think the framed photo of Natalie Appleton isn’t a reference to a girlband, but actually is a clue to Tattoo being Canadian.
“The horseshoe, rabbits foot and four-leaf clover all symbolise luck. Nelly’s newest album is called ‘7’ which also represents luck
“The Robin Hood hat could be a clue to her second album being called Folklore.
“If we want to really stretch, as a teenager she worked in the Robin Hood Inn.
“I think there are references to the titles of songs on her newest album (I don’t know when this was filmed, so maybe it doesn’t work if it was filmed before the album was released).
“One of the songs on her newest album is called Crown, and another one is called Corazón, the Spanish word for heart, which was referenced multiple times in the clue package.
Going on, the Reddit user added: “Five weeks is 35 days, and Nelly Furtado has released 35 singles.
“The birds on her costume are clues to one of her most famous songs I’m Like a Bird.”
Other viewers have speculated that Tattoo could be Shaznay Lewis from All Saints, Enya, Kelly Bright, Su Pollard or Denise Welch.
One fan posted: “I think Tattoo on @MaskedSingerUK is Shaznay Lewis from All Saints! Never ever was number 1 for 5 weeks and there was an acting clue and she was in Bend it like Beckham.”
A second wrote: “I’ve changed my mind I think Tattoo is Denise Welch.”
While third said: “Tattoo is Su Pollard. Nailed on. #TheMaskedSingerUK“
But some fans got it right, correctly working out it was Carol Decker after spotting four telltale clues.
[boxout headline=”Who won The Masked Singer 2025?” featured-image=”32646117″ intro=”Much to the delight of telly fans, The Masked Singer came back in 2025.”]Twelve celebrities were hidden behind intricate costumes, with their identities concealed.
Pufferfish – This year’s winner had flawless vocals throughout the competition. West End powerhouse Samantha Barks told the audience she’d loved every second of the series.
Dressed Crab – Former American football player turned jazz singer Gregory Porter was the man behind the crustacean. He duetted with Keala Settle, who previously competed as Air Fryer, in the final.
Wolf – Wet Wet Wet heartthrob Marti Pellow was unmasked as the rugged character. McFly’s Danny Jones, who won last year’s show as Piranha, was on the panel in the final and paid his respects to the Scottish crooner.
Bush – she didn’t fool viewers and the judges were so close, but Bush was in fact EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy. Davina McCall came closest, guessing Morgana Robinson, who does a mean impression of the Sonia actress
Bear – another success for new judge Maya Jama as she guessed correctly that the singing Bear was none other than singer, songwriter Example – real name Elliot Gleave.
Snail – this singer certainly fooled the judges as the mask was lifted to reveal Andrea Corr. Jonathan Ross admitted to being a huge fan of The Corrs.
Kingfisher – everyone was convinced this was Harry Hill, but the mask was lifted to reveal artist Sir Grayson Perry, who is known for his alter-ego Claire.
Teeth – this character baffled judges and viewers with their changing voice. They were finally unmasked as former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc. None of the panel managed to guess it was her.
Tattoo – despite Davina McCall saying “you sound the same” after this character was unmasked, none of the judges guessed it was 80s singer Carol Decker, whose hit China In Your Hand was a No1 hit for five weeks.
Toad In The Hole – a massive diva strop saw the character storm off the stage after the judges voted them off. They later returned to be unmasked as singer Macy Gray.
Pegasus – the mythical horse was revealed to be Prue Leith, with judge Jonathan Ross correctly guessing her identity.
Spag Bol – this character was first to be unmasked and was none other than Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway.
Plus there was one extra unmasking this season, with Giant Joel – a caricature of host Joel Dommett – unveiled as double-double Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.