The excitement around The Masked Singer continues to grow, especially now that fans are convinced they've deciphered the identity of Goldfish based on just a few clever clues. But here's where it gets controversial—are these deductions accurate, or are fans just overanalyzing?
The latest season of this popular ITV show kicks off tomorrow, featuring an intriguing twist: twelve new celebrities are hiding behind extraordinary masks, keeping viewers guessing. What makes this season even more thrilling is the introduction of two additional acts, each leading their own masked band—something fans have never seen before in the show's history.
In the premiere episode, the audience will be challenged to uncover who is behind the Goldfish costume, which is leading a band called No Trout. Then, in the following episode, the focus will shift to the Emperor Penguin, who is leading the Antarctic Funkeys. Both of these performers have provided some subtle clues to the judging panel—comprising Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, and Maya Jama—sparking a wave of theories online. Some loyal viewers think they might already know Goldfish's true identity before even hearing the voice, thanks to the hints revealed.
Goldfish’s clues included a question from Davina: “How did it feel to be top of the Christmas tree?”—a nod perhaps referring to a Christmas hit or achievement. The aquatic character also playfully questioned Jonathan about the famously short memory of goldfishs with: “They say goldfish have a three-second memory. We’ll be the Judge of that.” To Mo, Goldfish sent a cryptic math expression: “54x4x10-166+8=X,” and Maya received a hint stating, “I heard you became an award-winning billionaire by swimming upstream!”
Many fans on Reddit took these clues and did some calculations, ultimately deducing that the number 2002 was the answer, which is a significant year for a certain British female singer—Anne-Marie. The reasoning is compelling: the math leads to 2002, recognized as a hit song on Anne-Marie’s debut album, ‘Speak Your Mind,’ released in 2018 but with notable popularity in 2016. Additionally, the Christmas tree clue might refer to her Christmas number-one hit with Clean Bandit’s ‘Rockabye,’ and the judging clue possibly hints at her role as a coach on The Voice UK from 2021 to 2023.
Of course, ITV is remaining tight-lipped about whether the fact that these performers appear with bands offers any real insight into their identities. A source close to the show explained, “As The Masked Singer progresses into its seventh series, the producers are raising the bar by introducing more complex clues and even more unmaskings. The inclusion of bands is meant to surprise viewers, but whether it’s a hint or just a red herring remains to be seen.”
This season promises to keep fans on their toes as they try to piece together who’s behind each mask. The producers are intentionally making the clues more ambiguous and the reveals more surprising, which means the audience’s guesses might be more off than ever—adding to the fun and suspense.
The new series officially begins tomorrow, Saturday, January 3, at 6:30 PM on ITV1 and ITVX. Are you convinced by these clues, or do you think fans are jumping to conclusions? Share your thoughts below—what's your theory on Goldfish’s true identity? Could it really be a well-known pop star, or is it someone unexpected? Let the debate begin.
