The seventh series of ITV's The Masked Singer launched with a fresh twist on Saturday night, introducing 'Masked Bands' and a new roster of bizarre costumes. Among them, the Can of Worms has sparked a major fan theory, with a consensus forming that the performer inside is comedian and presenter Tom Allen.
The Clues That Have Viewers Convinced
During the introductory clue package and performance on January 3, 2026, several hints were dropped that eagle-eyed fans quickly pieced together. The costume's performance featured a seemingly disguised American accent, leading many to believe the celebrity was hiding their distinctive voice.
The visual clues presented alongside the act were particularly telling:
- A shelf laden with pastries.
- Images of growing flowers and vegetables.
- The statement: 'I have great fingers, runs in the family'.
- A picture of Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond perched on a fence.
How The Clues Link to Tom Allen
Fans on social media platform X were quick to connect the dots. The pastries are seen as a direct nod to Allen's role as host of Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice. His well-documented passion for gardening on Instagram fits perfectly with the flora and fauna clues.
The Top Gear photograph is explained by Allen's appearance as a studio guest on Series 28 of the motoring show. Furthermore, a clue mentioning 'Stoke' is believed to reference Allen's recent tour dates in the city.
Audience Reaction and Alternative Theories
The online reaction was swift and decisive. One viewer wrote: "Oh hold on...those pastries, if they have ANY link to Bake Off, it may be to do with their companion show An Extra Slice & Tom Allen is one of the hosts."
Another agreed, stating: "It’s Tom Allen !! Stoke clue his completely tour at Stoke. And he’s always on about gardening." A third simply declared: "Definitely Tom Allen."
While Allen is the frontrunner, a minority of fans speculated it could be Ben Shephard, host of ITV's Tipping Point. However, the evidence for Allen is currently considered far stronger by the majority of the show's dedicated audience.
The new series, hosted by Joel Dommett, features other contestants including Red Panda, Moth, Disc Jockey, and Gargoyle. The mystery will continue to unravel as The Masked Singer UK airs weekly on ITV.
