It’s been a turbulent couple of weeks for The Masked Singer Australia, with judges Dannii Minogue, Urzila Carlson and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson all quitting within the span of a month.
Henderson — who had been on the panel since the show’s 2019 premiere — was the most recent star to announce her departure. On Instagram, the radio host said that she was departing to spend more time with her daughter, Kitty.
Calling it “an incredibly tough decision” to make, Henderson explained: “Filming always coincides with school holidays and after three years of missing out I’ve decided to spend my mid-year radio break holidaying with my daughter whilst she’s still happy to hang out with her mum”.
“I look forward to watching the show from the couch,” she said.
With three panel seats to fill, Network 10 has announced that the 2022 panel will be comprised of comedian Dave Hughes, Spice Girl Mel B, and reality stars/media personalities Abbie Chatfield and Chrissie Swan.
Former (current? Who can keep track?) Spice Girl Mel B has spent a lot of time in Australia over the years. She’s judged Australia’s Got Talent and The X Factor before, and she’s even competed on The Masked Singer before, which is sure to give her an edge when it comes time to guess.
In a statement, Mel said: “Hello Australia. I have missed you so much but I am back and I can’t wait to get the party started with Hughesy, Abbie and Chrissie.
“Let me tell you though, I am the best-ever game player and I have something up my sleeve that none of these guys have… I’ve hidden behind these masks as a competitor not once but twice.
“So I’m bringing all my secret inside knowledge to this. But more to the point, I’m bringing the fun. Fasten your seatbelts everyone, it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride.”
Also joining the panel are reality stars and media personalities, Abbie Chatfield and Chrissie Swan.
“I am thrilled to be joining the panel!” Chatfield said in a statement. “I’m the first to say I can be competitive and I’m so ready to put my pop culture knowledge to the test and guess who is under the mask. Bring on the clues!”
Meanwhile, Swan said she was ready to “guess who is under the masks”, adding: “I’m here to get them right and I mean business! And let’s face it, I couldn’t possibly be any worse than Hughesy at guessing them correctly!”
Finally, Dave Hughes will be the only familiar face returning to the judging panel, and he’s excited to get started once again.
“How lucky am I to already have three amazing years with a brilliant cast,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to another season of so much fun with a stellar new guessing group. They are going to look for me for guidance. God help them.”
The Masked Singer Australia will premiere later this year, only on 10 and 10 Play.
Want more Masked Singer? Read all of our Masked Singer Australia stories here, and check out the stories below:
- Anastacia Was Behind Vampire and is the Winner of ‘The Masked Singer Australia!’
- Who is Behind the Mask? Meet the Cast of ‘The Masked Singer Australia’ 2021
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