Mo Gilligan Joins The Masked Singer Panel As Ken Jeong Exits Due To Covid Restrictions

The Bafta-winning comic will begin filming the second series of the ITV show next month.
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Mo Gilligan is joining the panel of The Masked Singer after Ken Jeong had to step down due to coronavirus restrictions.

The Bafta-winning comedian and chat show host will join Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall on the second series of the ITV singing competition, which begins filming next month.

Ken will not be returning because of the pandemic, as he is based in the US and is therefore unable to fly to the UK due to international travel restrictions.

Mo Gilligan is joining the panel of The Masked Singer
Mo Gilligan is joining the panel of The Masked Singer
Channel 4

Of his new role, Mo said: “It’s a real privilege to be joining The Masked Singer team. It’s one of the funniest shows out there and I’m really proud to play my small part to help bring a little bit of joy to the nation.”

ITV has said Ken will remain part of the Masked Singer family and said he “hopes to make an appearance or two during the series”.

Ken added: “I told the team nothing short of a global pandemic would stop me from coming back for season two! I am gutted because I truly love working with Joel, Rita, Davina, Jonathan and everyone at Bandicoot and ITV.

“Please take care, be safe, and as the title of the show suggests, wear a mask.”

Ken Jeong, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross
Ken Jeong, Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross
ITV

The Masked Singer is based on a South Korean format, which sees the panel tasked with guessing the identities of 12 celebrities dressed in elaborate costumes.

The first series proved to be a surprise hit for ITV when it aired earlier this year, and was won by former Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts.

The second series will be one of the first TV shows able to film with an audience when it returns to its studios in Bovingdon in Hertfordshire in September.

SRO Audiences, who handle ticketing for the show, has stated on its website that audience members will be subject to strict Covid regulations, which include people only sitting together if they are part of the same social bubble, temperature checks and Test And Trace forms to be filled in on arrival.

The Masked Singer returns to ITV next year.

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