The Masked Dancer UK

Hearing reports that ITV have bought the rights to The Masked Dancer, set to film this summer and fill the BGT gap.

I think they’d just be better off with a second series of The Masked Singer.

Was inevitable but can't see it working as well as The Masked Singer. Another show for Ashley Banjo to judge though.

Guessing now they'll have one of the masked singer judges (Jonathan maybe?) with Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse and one of the Pussycat Dolls on the panel

I know you still have the VTs and clues but it feels like they are just taking away the most important guessing point, with something inferior. Although it must have worked well enough in the states for it to be considered here.

Filming in the summer but filling BGT’s slot? I presume the report actually meant it’s going to Autumn.

Can’t see it working, especially if it ends up against Strictly. Will probably dilute the brand as well.

I don't understand the point of The Masked Dancer. How do you work out who's behind the mask by their dance? Totally different to guessing from their singing voice. Stupid commission if true, should have just gone for another series of The Masked Singer.

I imagine ITV don't want to burn out The Masked Singer too early by airing it twice a year. The Masked Dancer started out as a spoof segment on Ellen's show and I'm not sure if it will do as well as someone dancing in a costume doesn't quite have the same effect as someone singing in a costume.

What I mean is that they are set to film it this summer and then air it in the BGT Autumn slot.

I do think scheduling it around Strictly may be more difficult as well - Masked Singer really works as a family show so I think starting episodes after 8pm would harm it. It would probably be better in a 6pm slot than an 8pm slot - and to be honest Strictly probably start after 7pm more often nowadays anyway.

Then call it the X Factor slot. BGT only aired in Autumn 2020 because they had to suspend the series before the live shows due to lockdown.

It’s an interesting commission. It makes total sense in 2021, as they’ve got the budget & weeks free because of no BGT. Heck, even Ant & Dec could host it if they want to keep it a bit separate from Masked Singer. Surely they’ll want full use out of their contract this year.

But, let’s be honest, Masked Singer is becoming a jewel in their entertainment crown. It’s a family show that ITV have been longing for. So it’s probably quiet important that they don’t overdo it on Masked....

1 series of this as a filler, unless it’s insanely popular, probably wouldn’t hurt. Maybe even returning as a summer show next year, (with The Voice Kids shifting to pre-Strictly slot in the X Factor months maybe).