ITV commissions The Masked Dancer

ITV commissions The Masked Dancer

Renowned dancer Oti Mabuse to join the panel alongside Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall as Joel Dommett presents

This commission follows the success of The Masked Singer, the final of which attracted a massive consolidated audience of 10 million viewers

Hot on the heels of hit show The Masked Singer comes The Masked Dancer. This new 7 x 90 series, produced by Bandicoot Scotland, will see celebrity contestants perform unique dances, whilst covered from head to toe in extravagant, colourful costumes and masks, leaving the viewers and star panel to guess their identities. The Masked Dancer will air late Spring on ITV and the ITV Hub.

Bringing a wealth of dance expertise to the panel, Oti Mabuse will be taking up a seat alongside Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall as they all watch closely to see who knows their sashays from their pliés. Hosting this most unusual of dance parties will be Joel Dommett.  

The new format will feature 12 celebrities stepping onto the dancefloor to take on character alter egos as they trip the light fantastic in a bid to wow the panel and confuse with their moves. Clue packages will accompany every Masked Dancer to help the panel and at home detectives crack the case of who the famous faces behind the masks are. From ballet to ballroom, salsa to swing and everything in between, the mystery line up will be dancing onto screens this Spring.

Oti Mabuse said:  "I’m so thrilled and honoured to be joining the panel on The Masked Dancer.  I’m a huge fan of The Masked Singer and I loved the US Masked Dancer so I just can’t wait to start on this show. As a dancer I will be watching the dancers intently looking for clues - it’s going to be so much fun!!!"

Jonathan Ross said: "What people don’t know is that secretly I am an expert in dance and can spot a ball change from a box step no problem. The title of best detective on the panel is most certainly coming my way!”

Mo Gilligan said: "I love The Masked Singer. It’s a crazy bit of joy, which we all need right now - so when ITV asked if I wanted to join The Masked Dancer I, of course, said a huge yes! I’m really looking forward to getting back with the team for another brilliant series."

Davina McCall said: “I love playing detective and I love dancing so what could be better?! I’m currently swotting up on all things dance in preparation and I will be watching those celebrity feet like a hawk. They always have such an amazing cast on The Masked Singer so it could literally be anyone hiding and dancing behind those masks and that’s what makes it so exciting.”  

Joel Dommett said: “Well, this is set to be an amazing fun twist…will someone do the twist?! The Masked Dancer is that little bit of silly fun our lives need right now and I’m so excited to be hosting it. I’m looking forward to some incredible costumes, epic performances and accidentally saying Masked Singer at least five times.”

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning said “The Masked Singer is a huge hit for ITV and our viewers can’t get enough of this colourful guessing game. The Masked Dancer will build on that success and create a new format that will be just as much fun and entertaining for our viewers.”

Bandicoot Scotland founders, Derek McLean and Daniel Nettleton added: “We just LOVE making masks and are grateful to ITV for enabling us to make LOADS more.”

The Masked Dancer has been commissioned for ITV by Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning and Joe Mace, Commissioning Editor. The series will be produced by Bandicoot Scotland (part of Argonon Group) and the executive producers are Derek McLean, Daniel Nettleton and Claire Horton.