The Masked Singer UK concluded its sixth series in February 2025, with West End performer Samantha Barks claiming victory beneath the Pufferfish costume. The ITV singing competition, which adapts a South Korean format, conceals celebrity identities behind elaborate disguises while a panel of judges and the public attempt to decipher vocal and visual clues.
Series 6 featured twelve contestants competing across eight episodes, culminating in a grand finale on February 15, 2025. Grammy-winning jazz singer Gregory Porter finished as runner-up performing as Dressed Crab, while Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow secured third place behind the Wolf mask. The season maintained the show’s signature blend of theatrical performances and detective work that has driven its ratings since the 2020 debut.
Who Won The Masked Singer UK?
Samantha Barks, known for her role as Éponine in the film adaptation of Les Misérables, won Series 6 of The Masked Singer UK. She defeated two established music industry veterans in the final episode, which aired live on ITV.
Samantha Barks (Pufferfish)
ITV
Series 6 (2025)
8 Episodes
Key Facts About Series 6:
- Samantha Barks became the sixth winner in the show’s history
- Gregory Porter placed second as Dressed Crab, revealing his identity during the finale
- Marti Pellow secured third place performing behind the Wolf costume
- The series ran from January 4 to February 15, 2025
- Twelve celebrities participated in total, with eleven eliminated across seven weeks
- A Christmas special preceded the main series on December 26, 2024
- All finalists performed duets with former contestants during the finale
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Samantha Barks (Pufferfish) |
| Runner-up | Gregory Porter (Dressed Crab) |
| Third Place | Marti Pellow (Wolf) |
| Season Number | Series 6 |
| Episode Count | 8 episodes (including finale) |
| Premiere Date | January 4, 2025 |
| Finale Date | February 15, 2025 |
| Total Contestants | 12 celebrities |
Sources confirm that Barks performed “One Night Only” from Dreamgirls as her “song of the series” during the final, while Porter and Pellow delivered similarly show-stopping numbers before their unmasking. Wikipedia’s Series 6 entry documents the complete elimination order, with Natalie Cassidy (Bush) falling just short of the final three during the semi-finals.
What Is The Masked Singer UK?
The Masked Singer UK operates as a celebrity guessing competition built around anonymity and vocal performance. Contestants perform popular songs while wearing full-body costumes that completely obscure their physical identity, forcing judges and viewers to rely solely on voice quality, mannerisms, and packaged clues to determine who hides beneath the mask.
The Competition Structure
Each episode features multiple performances followed by an elimination. The studio audience votes for their favorite performances, with the lowest-scoring contestant required to “take it off” and reveal their identity. Occasionally, double eliminations occur when two performers exit in the same episode. The semi-finals and finale introduce duets with previously eliminated contestants, adding complexity to the vocal signatures judges must analyze.
Eliminations result from combined public and panel votes. When contestants land in the bottom two, they enter a sing-off where the judges decide who remains masked. The final winner emerges from sole public voting in the last episode.
Clue Packages and Visual Hints
Between performances, pre-recorded segments provide cryptic hints about each contestant’s career, personal life, or physical characteristics. These packages incorporate wordplay, visual metaphors, and prop-based riddles. Specific song choices also serve as clues—Series 6 featured Bush performing Madness’s “Our House” and Wolf delivering “The Candy Man,” selections intentionally tied to the celebrities’ backgrounds.
Designers create elaborate suits like Pufferfish, Dressed Crab, and Kingfisher that restrict movement and breathing. Contestants adapt their vocal techniques to perform inside bulky, often heavy constructions that alter acoustics.
The format originated in South Korea before ITV adapted it for British audiences in 2020. WhatToWatch’s Series 6 guide provides detailed breakdowns of how clue packages correlate with specific celebrity reveals.
Who Are The Judges and Host?
Joel Dommett returned to host Series 6, continuing his role from previous seasons. The comedian and presenter guides the studio audience through voting procedures and unmasking ceremonies while maintaining the show’s energetic pace.
The Judging Panel Changes
Series 6 marked a significant shift in the panel composition. Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, and Jonathan Ross all returned for the sixth season, but Rita Ora did not participate. Broadcaster and presenter Maya Jama joined as her replacement, bringing fresh perspective to the guessing dynamic.
The four judges evaluate performances for vocal quality while simultaneously hunting for identity clues. Each maintains a “guess book” where they record predictions that get revealed at unmasking. Their commentary often drives the narrative tension as they debate whether specific vocal runs indicate professional singing training or amateur enthusiasm.
Special Guest Appearances
The series incorporated special guests beyond the core panel. Olympic runner Mo Farah appeared as “Giant Joel” in a costumed cameo. The finale featured duet partners including Claire Richards (previously Knitting), Danny Jones (Piranha), and Keala Settle (Air Fryer), returning from earlier series to perform alongside the finalists.
When Did The Masked Singer UK 2025 Air?
ITV scheduled Series 6 across winter 2024-2025, strategically placing the premiere after a Christmas Day lead-in to capture holiday viewership. The compressed eight-week run maintained the show’s traditional Saturday night time slot.
Premiere and Finale Dates
The series launched on January 4, 2025, with the first elimination occurring in the second week. The finale aired February 15, 2025, delivering the three unmaskings within a single extended episode. This schedule allowed the competition to avoid overlap with major sporting events or holiday programming that might fragment audiences.
A standalone Christmas special broadcast on December 26, 2024, served as a preview for the main series. This episode featured separate performances and challenges distinct from the Series 6 competition format.
Fan-archive documentation confirms the complete broadcast schedule, though viewership ratings for the 2025 series have not been published in available sources.
Series 6 Broadcast Timeline
- : Christmas Special airs on ITV
- : Series 6 premiere; first performances
- : Macy Gray unmasked as Toad in the Hole (Week 2)
- : Carol Decker revealed as Tattoo
- : Mel Giedroyc unmasked as Teeth; Dame Prue Leith revealed as Pegasus
- : Double elimination week featuring Kate Garraway (Spaghetti Bolognese) and Andrea Corr (Snail)
- : Semi-final eliminates Natalie Cassidy (Bush); Grayson Perry (Kingfisher) and Example (Bear) previously unmasked
- : Grand Final crowns Samantha Barks as winner
Established Facts and Unknowns
- Series 6 winner: Samantha Barks (Pufferfish)
- Runner-up and third place: Gregory Porter and Marti Pellow
- Host Joel Dommett and judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama
- Twelve total contestants and eight episodes
- Broadcast dates from Dec 26, 2024 through Feb 15, 2025
- Digital spin-off The After Mask hosted by Harriet Rose
- Viewership ratings and audience figures for Series 6
- Series 5 (2024) finalist details and winner identity
- Official renewal status for Series 7
- Specific production budget figures for costume design
- Complete list of guest panelists beyond core four judges
The Show’s Cultural Context
The Masked Singer UK represents ITV’s successful adaptation of the South Korean format King of Mask Singer, which first aired in 2015. The British version prioritizes entertainment value over pure vocal competition, emphasizing the mystery element and comedic banter between judges. This approach distinguishes it from traditional talent shows like The X Factor or The Voice UK.
The program has carved out a distinct space in Saturday night television by combining family-friendly viewing with genuine musical performances from established artists. Unlike You TV series episodes which rely on narrative suspense, or Power TV series guide content focused on serialized drama, The Masked Singer builds tension through real-time revelation rather than scripted cliffhangers.
ITV’s official hub hosts full episodes and additional content, while Wikipedia’s comprehensive series entry documents the show’s evolution from its 2020 debut through the latest series.
Contestant Reflections
Several Series 6 participants provided statements following their unmasking, offering insight into the experience of performing anonymously. These comments reveal the psychological impact of performing without personal branding or reputation attached.
Smiling so hard it’s hurting my cheeks. This has been the most incredible experience.
— Samantha Barks (Pufferfish), Series 6 Winner
One of the best jobs I’ve ever done.
— Natalie Cassidy (Bush), Semi-finalist
Straight-up fun.
— Gregory Porter (Dressed Crab), Runner-up
West End Theatre coverage detailed Barks’s victory in the context of her theatrical career, noting her transition from musical stage work to television competition.
Where The Show Stands
As of February 2025, The Masked Singer UK maintains its position as ITV’s premier celebrity guessing format, with six completed seasons establishing a reliable production pattern. The show continues to attract West End performers, chart-topping musicians, and television personalities willing to submit to the costume constraints for the anonymity it provides. Whether the series returns for a seventh season remains officially unconfirmed, though the template now exists for future iterations to follow the established eight-episode structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won The Masked Singer UK Series 6?
Samantha Barks won Series 6 performing as Pufferfish. She defeated Gregory Porter (Dressed Crab) and Marti Pellow (Wolf) in the February 15, 2025 finale.
Who were the Series 6 finalists?
The three finalists were Pufferfish (Samantha Barks), Dressed Crab (Gregory Porter), and Wolf (Marti Pellow). Barks won, Porter placed second, and Pellow took third place.
When did The Masked Singer UK 2025 start?
Series 6 premiered on January 4, 2025, following a Christmas special on December 26, 2024. The finale aired February 15, 2025.
Who replaced Rita Ora on the judging panel?
Maya Jama joined Series 6 as a judge, replacing Rita Ora. Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, and Jonathan Ross all returned to the panel.
What is The After Mask?
The After Mask is a digital companion series hosted by Harriet Rose. The second series aired alongside Series 6, providing additional commentary and behind-the-scenes content online.
How many celebrities competed in Series 6?
Twelve celebrities competed in Series 6. These included Macy Gray, Mel Giedroyc, Prue Leith, Kate Garraway, and eventual winner Samantha Barks.
Who was unmasked first in Series 6?
American singer Macy Gray was the first contestant unmasked, revealed as Toad in the Hole during Week 2 (January 11, 2025).
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.