Fans of the show were extremely confused as they tuned into the latest episode.

The Masked Singer

The Halloween-themed episode sparked complaints (Image: ITV)

The Masked Singer fans issued the same complaint just seconds into the latest episode. Series seven of the ITV competition kicked off earlier this month, with judges Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Maya Jama all returning to the panel, alongside Joel Dommett as host. Each judge is tasked with working out which celebrity is performing on stage behind an elaborate disguise. The 2026 characters are Moth, Can Of Worms, Red Panda, Conkers, Arctic Fox, Toastie, Monkey Business, Yak, Sloth, Gargoyle, Disc Jocket and Teabag.

But there was an unexpected twist when tonight’s show began, as Joel introduced it as ‘The Masked Singer Spooktacular.’ The Halloween-themed episode had the presenter sporting a Wednesday Addams-inspired outfit. The Halloween theme caught viewers off guard, given the festive holiday is celebrated on October 31.

One wrote online: “DEAR @ITV Why is #TheMaskedSinger #Halloween special on in JANUARY?!!”

Another fumed: “Why are they doing a #Halloween special in January? This should have been done separately from the rest of the series and done as a proper themed special if they were going to do this! #TheMaskedSinger.”

“Why are we getting a Halloween themed #TheMaskedSinger in January,” asked a baffled fan as a fourth pointed out: “Erm, Halloween was months ago! #maskedsingeruk #TheMaskedSinger.”

Another commented: “That awkward bit where your show airs from January to February but you really really want to do a Halloween theme.”
An additional viewer said: “I do not understand having a Halloween theme in JANUARY.”
Masked Singer
Fans questioned why there was a Halloween-themed episode in January (Image: ITV)

Keeping in line with the theme, the judges went all out with dramatic outfits, including guest star Ben Shephard, who joined the panel during the episode.

Last weekend, it was Monkey Business and Yak who landed in the bottom two. After performing once again in the sing-off, Yak was eliminated from the competition and unmasked as legendary punk singer John Lydon.

The frontman of The Sex Pistols said: “For me, I hope the fun comes across. Rather than going up there and doing sing-along and guessing who I am straight away, I thought, let’s show the other side of me – an absolute fun-star.

“I’m the court jester by nature. It’s just the way it is… I’m glad to be out of most of this outfit! It’s back-breaking in here.”

The musician became the third celebrity to be eliminated from the show following the exits of Alex Jones and Professor Green, who were unveiled as Disc Jockey and Teabag respectively the week prior.