ITV's The Masked Singer delivered another jaw-dropping elimination on Saturday night, prompting panellist Jonathan Ross to call for an immediate change to the show's format. The shock came as the celebrity behind the Gargoyle mask was revealed to be Marcella Detroit, one half of the iconic 90s duo Shakespears Sister.
A Surprise Elimination Sparks Backstage Drama
The episode, which aired on 17 January 2026, saw Moth, Gargoyle, Sloth, and Can of Worms return for their second performances. They were joined by Red Panda, whose debut was postponed from the launch show. The character's firefighter costume and planned performance of 'Disco Inferno' were deemed potentially insensitive following a tragic bar fire in Switzerland that claimed 40 lives.
After the studio audience voted, host Joel Dommett announced the bottom two were Sloth and Gargoyle. The panel, including Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan, chose to save Sloth, sending Gargoyle home. Upon unmasking, the identity of the American singer-songwriter stunned the panel, particularly Ross.
Ross's Unprecedented On-Air Request
In a break from the usual format, Jonathan Ross intervened after Marcella Detroit's elimination. He argued that the heavy Gargoyle costume had prevented her from showcasing her legendary voice. Ross then demanded she be allowed to perform the Shakespears Sister classic 'Stay' instead of her earlier competition song.
"It was really difficult to walk," Detroit admitted about the cumbersome costume, simply adding, "Hot!" She also hinted at a potential move back to the UK during her exit interview.
Who is Marcella Detroit?
Born Marcella Levy, the artist is a prolific American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Her career highlights include:
- Co-writing Eric Clapton's 1977 hit "Lay Down Sally".
- Releasing her debut solo album 'Marcella' in 1982.
- Joining Shakespears Sister with ex-Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey in 1988.
- Scoring top 10 UK albums with 'Sacred Heart' and 'Hormonally Yours'.
- Achieving a UK top 20 solo hit with "I Believe" in 1994.
She later formed the Marcy Levy Band and finished third in ITV's 2010 series Popstar to Operastar.
The unexpected reveal sent fans on social media platform X into a frenzy, with many expressing their disbelief. One viewer wrote, "Omg i would never have guessed Marcella Detroit." Ross's passionate plea for a format tweak suggests this won't be the last we hear of this surprising Masked Singer moment.
