Masked Singer: Swan sparks theories of girl band and musical theatre stars

The Swan on The Masked Singer has sent the show’s judges and fans on “a wild goose chase” with the contestant’s identity still up for debate.

The hit ITV series returned to screens tonight (9 January) for its third week since the series returned in December.

Tonight’s episode has seen mystery personas Sausage, Robin, Badger, Dragon and Swan perform, but it is the latter which has viewers the most puzzled.

Following Swan’s rendition of “I Am What I Am” from the musical La Cage aux Folles, viewers took to social media to debate the persona’s identity. 

“Absolutely 100pc #swan is Ashley Roberts!!” said one user, with another agreeing: “100% Ashley Roberts as the Swan on the Masked Singer.”

Also casting his vote for the former Pussycat Doll member, judge Mo Gilligan argued that the singer’s American accent was a tell-tale sign that it was Roberts hiding behind the elaborate outfit.

Others suspected differently, however, with many proposing that it could be Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon instead.

“Swan is Martin McCutcheon all day long,” wrote one user, who also pointed out that the clues toward Swan’s identity included an affiliation with politics that could be a reference to McCutcheon's role in Love Actually as the Prime Minister’s love interest.

“My money is on the Swan being Martine McCutehon,” agreed another viewer.

Some fans voiced their suspicions that the celebrity behind the feathers is Britain’s Got Talent star Amanda Holden. “Swan sounds like Amanda Holden,” wrote one viewer.

Previously, Holden’s name was raised as a possible identity of the Fox in the show’s first season, who was later revealed to be British actor and presenter Denise van Outen.

The hugely popular programme sees celebrities dress up in wacky costumes and perform cover songs to a live audience and a panel of judges who then attempt to decipher their identity based on a series of clues.

The Masked Singer returns to ITV next Saturday at 7.00pm.