The character was removed from the launch of the ITV show after concerns over their performance being ‘insensitive’
Red Panda’s performance was removed from the episode (Image: ITV)
The Masked Singer is returning tonight – and it will be the first time most viewers get to see Red Panda perform.
The first episode saw only five stars take to the stage after the character was removed from the launch show at the last minute.
Red Panda had been scheduled to take part in the first episode of the show, but was missing from the line-up on Saturday, January 3 after ITV made a decision that it was insensitive to show following the tragic events at a Swiss ski resort that left 40 people dead and 119 others injured on New Year’s Eve.
The hidden celebrity performed in a Red Panda costume and was wearing a fireman’s outfit, singing Disco Inferno by The Trammps.
Read more Masked Singer fans say Can of Worms has ‘got to be’ star as one clue ‘gives it away’
ITV issued a statement shortly before the episode, saying: “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.”
This meant that the runtime of the launch episode was shortened by 10 minutes. While live viewers were unable to watch Red Panda’s clue package and performance, some catch-up viewers reported that the unedited episode of The Masked Singer had been available to watch on Sky UK’s Catch-Up TV.
The performance made it on to YouTube, with clues for Red Panda including:
baby dummiesgold rocka letter with the address 5 Rio Street Birmingham ona shopping list with hairspray, suncream, and pink apples and pears written on it
And several fans have suggested it could be Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon inside the costume. The address on the letter could hint at the bands hit song Rio, and they have huge ties to Birmingham.
Simon Le Bon(Image: GETTY)
They formers while they were studying at the University of Birmingham, and launched their career from the Rum Runner club. The city has since honored the band with the Lord Mayor’s Award and a blue plaque for the iconic club, solidifying Birmingham as their spiritual home.
The gold rock may point to the many gold records the band have earned over the years, and apples and pairs could be cockney rhyming slang for stairs, with Duran Duran also having a song called Last Chance on the Stairway.
And the dummies? Simon Le Bon recently became a grandfather in January 2025 after his eldest daughter, model Amber gave birth.
Red Panda is expected to perform tonight alongside Sloth, Moth, Gargoyle and Can of Worms.
The Masked Singer airs at 7pm tonight (Saturday, January 17) on ITV.