Peter Crouch joins The Masked Dancer panel
May 3, 2022
After the success of the first series, The Masked Dancer is back as the celebrity cast attempts to baffle and bamboozle the panel and viewers with their fancy footwork and dance moves whilst covered from head to toe in extravagant and elaborate costumes.
This series footballing legend Peter Crouch will be hoping he can hit the back of the net with his guesses. Alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Oti Mabuse they will all be watching each performance closely as they try and work out which twinkle toed celebrity is behind the mask.
The former England striker will be stepping in for comedian Mo Gilligan this season, with Mo unavailable owing to touring commitments. Mo will be back to join Peter, Davina, Jonathan and Oti on the panel for a surprise appearance during the run. Our panel will also be joined by some very special guests throughout the series.
Presiding over this unique and unusual dance party will be Joel Dommett.
Twelve brand new celebrities will be 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 later this year on ITV and ITV Hub.
Last series viewers saw OIympic gymnast Louis Smith storm to victory dressed as the wonderfully outlandish Car Wash. The series also saw Radio DJ and presenter Zoe Ball unmasked as Llama, choreographer and TV judge Craig Revel Horwood as Knickerbocker Glory, Ice skating legend Christopher Dean as Beagle and presenter Kelly Brook as Frog.
Mo Gilligan said: “I love being a part of the Masked Team so I’m gutted to be missing most of the series this year as I’ll be working in the US. BUT I’ve got the perfect sub to take my place. A legend on and off the pitch and one of the nicest guys in the industry, Crouchy knows a thing or two about fancy footwork, we’ve got this!”
Peter Crouch said: “The show is a firm favourite in our household and when asked I jumped at the chance to take part. I am competitive and I’m currently scrolling through friends’ socials looking for those tell-tale dance moves. Another plus is by being on the panel my social media, family and friends won’t be constantly speculating that I’m hiding behind one of the masks!”
Oti Mabuse said: “I love being a part of the show. It was such a highlight. I take my hat off to the celebrities, they make dancing in those huge but wonderful costumes look effortless. I’m so excited to see this year’s characters.”
Jonathan Ross said: “As the current reigning champion amongst the panel I will be using my expert knowledge in all things dance to take the title again. Who knows, this year my dream might come true and Mary Berry might just be behind one of the masks!”
Davina McCall said: “Love love love this show, it’s bonkers but utterly brilliant. Night after night I’m always so shocked to see who’s hiding behind the mask and I can’t wait to find out who this year’s celebrities will be.”
Joel Dommett said: “It’s so great to be back for some dancing and guessing! I’m super excited to find out who is dancing behind the masks! We’re losing Mo for some episodes – but we have Peter ‘the Robot’ Crouch to fill his much smaller shoes. I’m very excited as I’ve always looked up to him in his career and because he is massive.”
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning said “Last series was such a hit with fans, we are delighted to be bringing a brand-new instalment of the most bonkers show on TV to our viewers. It’s become compulsive viewing for our audience as families across the country join in unison to shout ‘Take It Off’ at their TV’s.”
Bandicoot Scotland founders, Derek McLean and Daniel Nettleton added: “We are thrilled that the audience loved watching the series as much as we enjoyed making it. We have a fantastic cast who will be unleashing their inner dancer on the nation which is guaranteed to make you smile, laugh and join in on the fun. We welcome footballing legend and creator of the Robot, Peter Crouch to the panel this year, he along with the other pannellist will need to hone their detective skills as the clues are devilishly designed to keep them off the scent. It’s going to be a fantastic series and we can’t wait to share it with the viewers.
The Masked Dancer has been commissioned for ITV by Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning and Joe Mace, ITV Entertainment Commissioner. The series will be produced by Bandicoot Scotland (part of Argonon Group) and the executive producers are Derek McLean, Daniel Nettleton and Claire Horton.