As The Masked Singer 2026 reaches its thrilling semi-final stage, speculation is reaching fever pitch among dedicated fans. With only five contestants remaining—Moth, Can of Worms, Conkers, Toastie, and Sloth—the competition is intensifying. Tonight's episode promises another round of performances and crucial clues, but for many viewers, the identity of one celebrity is already considered an open secret.
Why Fans Are Pointing to Ed Balls
The consensus among a vocal section of the audience is that Sloth is none other than former Labour politician and current Good Morning Britain presenter, Ed Balls. This belief has solidified due to a series of clues that seem to align perfectly with his public life and career.
A Trail of Political References
The most compelling evidence, according to fans, lies in the heavy political imagery. During Sloth's performances, viewers have noted a 'Labour of love' reference and a rose in the background—a clear nod to the Labour Party's symbol. Additional clues have mentioned 'cabinet', 'spin doctor', and the 'SW1A' postcode, which is famously associated with the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
Clues From His Varied Career
Beyond politics, other clues appear to fit Ed Balls's biography seamlessly:
- Handcuffs: A visual clue showed a pair of handcuffs. This references Balls's 2018 BBC documentary series, Travels in Trumpland with Ed Balls, where he spent a night in a US prison as part of the filming.
- Dancing: References to a 'dance studio' and dancing strongly hint at his participation in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, where he partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones and achieved an impressive sixth place.
- Alarm Clock: An alarm clock shown aligns with his early morning routine as a host on ITV's Good Morning Britain, requiring him to rise at 3:45 am.
- Cricket: A cricket reference connects to his role on an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) taskforce. He works to promote the sport in schools and has collaborated with players like James Anderson to boost youth participation, linking his interest in cricket to educational improvement.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
Online forums and social media platforms are abuzz with theories. On Reddit, one user stated, "Its ed balls. too many polictian references, the dreaming for d:ream being new labours anthem, the rose in the background tonight and all the clues pointing to good morning britian." Similar sentiments were echoed on X, with posts like, "I am so convinced Sloth is Ed Balls!" and "Just catching up on last night's #TheMaskedSinger and I am convinced that #Sloth is Ed Balls."
Contestants Unmasked So Far
As the competition narrows, here is a recap of the celebrities who have already been revealed in this series:
- Red Panda - Unmasked as Harry Hill
- Arctic Fox - Unmasked as Anton Du Beke
- Monkey Business - Unmasked as Kate Nash
- Gargoyle - Unmasked as Marcella Detroit
- Yak - Unmasked as Johnny Rotten
- Disc Jockey - Unmasked as Alex Jones
- Teabag - Unmasked as Professor Green
With the semi-final airing tonight, all eyes will be on Sloth to see if these fan theories are confirmed or if there is another surprising twist in store for The Masked Singer's captivated audience.
