Ben Shephard has apologised to fans after being outed as Conkers in the Masked Singer final
09:01, 15 Feb 2026Updated 09:09, 15 Feb 2026
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Ben Shephard has issued a grovelling apology after being revealed as Conkers in the final of The Masked Singer. The This Morning host kept fans guessing for weeks in the ITV singing contest but was eventually outed in Saturday night’s last sing off.
Shephard’s unmasking shocked the judging panel of Maya Jama, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, and last year’s winner Samantha Barks, because he had appeared on the show’s judging panel earlier in the series, during its Halloween special.
The TV presenter, 50, wound up in third place behind Mica Paris as Toastie and Keisha Buchanan as Moth. Despite his reveal being the shock of the series, Ben’s first message after his identity was exposed was one of apology.
“For everyone whose songs I destroyed I’m so so sorry. For everyone who listened I’m even more apologetic. For the amazing team who created Conkers you are the real stars – I can’t thank you enough he was very special,” he said.
Ben Shephard was unmasked beneath the Conker costume(Image: ITV)
Fans rushed to assure him over his performances. “No apologies needed! I had tears flowing it was incredible and soo not expected!” said one.
“Oh my goodness Ben Shepherd you were brilliant! I wanted you to win. But very well done. I really didn’t think it could be you as I’ve never seen you move around so much haha!” and another. While daytime queen Lorraine Kelly responded, calling Ben’s reveal “Fabulous!!!”
After being unmasked, Ben told host Joel Dommett: “It’s an extraordinary experience, having turned 50, I thought I’ve got to do a few more scary things.
Ben said he was sorry for butchering numerous songs(Image: ITV)
“And I think tonight was probably my favourite, and it felt like I’d won just being able to come on the show, so I could just really enjoy that song (The Killers’ Mr Brightside), I know my boys love that song. It’s been such an extraordinary journey.”
Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan was crowned the champion of this year’s series of The Masked Singer after she was unmasked as Moth. The 41-year-old singer, who performed songs including Rihanna’s Only Girl (In The World) and Foreigner’s I Want To Know What Love Is during Saturday’s final was correctly guessed by panellist Maya Jama on the ITV show.
Tipping Point presenter Ben Shephard was the show’s runner-up as Conkers, while Toastie was revealed to be soul singer Mica Paris, which three of the panel guessed correctly.
Speaking after winning the show, the pop star said said: “Honestly, I’ve had the best time, I think I’m more of an introvert than I am an extrovert, actually. And I think this has, you know, without the girls by my side, it’s kind of like made me a lot more confident, and it’s really brought me out of my shell.”
Sugababes icon Keisha Buchanan was crowned winner after performing as Moth(Image: ITV)
The duets also saw West End star Samantha Barks sign on the show once again as Pufferfish, while The Corrs singer Andrea Corr and singer Will Young also returned to the programme, as Snail and Lionfish respectively.
Paris, who finished third, added: “I’ve had the best time, it’s been so amazing.
“I wanted to do it for my grandkids… they don’t (know that I am doing The Masked Singer), they know I’m doing a show but they don’t know what it is.”
This year’s series of The Masked Singer is available on catch up on ITVX.