The Masked Singer crowns Pufferfish as its winner – and star is revealed to be HUGE movie and West End star - suong

   

THE Masked Singer has crowned its latest winner with Pufferfish being unmasked as a major theatre star.

Fans of the ITV guessing game were left stunned when it was confirmed that Pufferfish was in fact the West End's leading lady, Samantha Barks.

Pufferfish costume on The Masked Singer.
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Pufferfish has WON The Masked Singer and their identity has finally been unmaskedCredit: ITV
Smiling woman in colorful costume on stage.
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West End icon Samantha Barks was crowned the champion
Screenshot of a man and woman on a stage; the woman is wearing a large, colorful costume.
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Samantha was left over the moon to be crowned champion

They beat off competition from Dressed Crab and Wolf who were also revealed to be major stars.

The show's panel - Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and guest judge Danny Jones - were left in awe when Samantha took off their mask to finally confirm their identity.

Speaking after she was unmasked, the star said to the panel: "I've had the best time, I've had the best time. Underneath the mask I've been smiling the whole time."

Samantha, 34, rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC talent show I'd Do Anything.

The programme searched for an actress to play Nancy in a revival of Oliver!

She made her film debut in the 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway.

More recently, she has become the biggest West End star since Elaine Page and is famed for playing Elsa in the theatre production of Frozen.

Finishing a close runner-up to Samantha was Dressed Crab who turned out to be soul and jazz star Gregory Porter.

The 53-year-old has specifically twice won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album - in 2014 and 2017.

In addition, the musician is also known for his recognisable newsboy-style cap.

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Every single Masked Singer clue and theory for Wolf, Pufferfish and Dressed Crab ahead of ITV show’s grand final tonight

Wolf fell at the final hurdle and was revealed to have finished in 3rd place in the contest.

It was soon revealed to be iconic 80s singer Marti Pellow.

The singer rose to fame thanks to being the frontman of Wet Wet Wet.

In tonight's final, the top three all undertook a duet with a past Masked Singer favourite who all made a comeback to the show.

Samantha Barks at the New York Pops 39th Birthday Gala.
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West End star Samantha Barks was confirmed to be under the mask and the winner of the showCredit: Getty
Pufferfish costume performing on stage.
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Pufferfish was crowned the winner

Claire Richards from Steps was back as Knitting and last year’s champion Danny Jones returned as Piranha for extra special duets.

And US singer Keala Settle from The Greatest Showman even made a shock comeback as Air Fryer - much to the delight of the panel.

However, one person who failed to appear on the show was judge Mo Gilligan.

The comedian was missing for the second week running with his absence left unaddressed by his co-stars.

A crab costume in a red flamenco dress on a stage.
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Dressed Crab finished in second placeCredit: ITV
Screenshot of Barry White smiling.
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Gregory Porter was unmasked as Dressed Crab
Gregory Porter at the 67th Grammy Awards.
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Gregory Porter was confirmed to be Dressed CrabCredit: The Mega Agency

Last year's winner, Danny Jones, instead filled in for him and took his place on the panel.

Pufferfish, Dressed Crab and Wolf had all managed to make it to the final after beating off tough competition from stars such as Andrea Corr, Example, Natalie Cassidy and Macy Gray.

 

One of this series' most notable moments came in the form of US singer Macy storming off the stage after being forced to unmask herself after just three weeks in the competition.

Macy initially refused to take off her mask and had a backstage meltdown lasting over an hour before finally being persuaded to return to the stage.

Wolf costume from The Masked Singer.
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Wolf finished in 3rd place on the showCredit: ITV
Screenshot of a man in a fur coat being interviewed.
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Marti Pellow was Wolf
Screenshot of a singing competition, featuring a contestant in a red, ruffled costume with claw-like hands, and a host.
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Dressed Crab's identity was Gregory Porter