ITV has made significant alterations to Saturday evening’s premiere of The Masked Singer, cutting one performance entirely from the broadcast in response to the devastating Swiss bar fire in Crans-Montana.
The broadcaster confirmed the schedule adjustment this evening, with the opening episode now beginning at 6:40pm rather than 6:30pm and running for 80 minutes instead of the originally planned 90.
An ITV spokesperson told GB News why the decision was made and which performer would be affected.
“In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda’s performance on The Masked Singer in tonight’s programme owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song,” the statement began.
Red Panda was removed from the Masked Singer premiere over ‘potential insensitivities’
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ITV
“Viewers will get to see Red Panda perform in the coming weeks.”
The ITV spokesperson did not reveal the name of the song involved or what specific lyrics could be deemed insensitive.
The blaze in question tore through Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during the early hours of New Year’s Day, claiming 40 lives and leaving 119 people wounded.
Authorities have indicated that sparklers attached to champagne bottles, brought too near the ceiling, appear to have sparked the inferno.
Joel Dommett returns as Masked Singer host
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ITV
Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud stated at a press conference that investigators would examine the construction materials used at the venue, its fire safety protocols, official capacity and the actual number of patrons present when the fire broke out.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the disaster as “one of the worst tragedies” his country has experienced.
The French managers of Le Constellation have been placed under criminal investigation, prosecutors in the canton of Valais announced on Saturday afternoon.
They face suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson in connection with the deadly blaze.
PICTURED: A large cordon and multiple forensic tents in place outside Le Constellation in Crans-Montana | GETTY
Efforts to identify those who perished continue, with the severity of burns suffered by victims slowing the process. Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, indicated that identification work should conclude by Sunday afternoon.
Police confirmed that four bodies have been returned to families so far: two Swiss women aged 21 and 16, and two Swiss men aged 18 and 16.
Scenes of the blaze outside the bar in Swiss ski town Crans-Montana | X
Meanwhile, Bafta-winning show The Masked Singer is returning for its seventh series with Joel Dommett once again taking hosting duties.
Davina McCall, Maya Jama, Jonathan Ross, and Mo Gilligan resume their positions on the detective panel, tasked with unmasking the celebrity contestants hidden beneath elaborate costumes.