Masked Singer star Red Panda’s axing finally explained after first performance airs

Masked Singer star Red Panda’s axing finally explained after first performance airs Emily Bashforth Published January 17, 2026 8:01pm Updated January 17, 2026 8:54pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Red Panda has finally taken to the Masked Singer stage (Picture: ITV)

After being cut from the launch episode at short notice, Red Panda has finally taken to the Masked Singer UK stage.

Tonight, the character’s first performance aired to the nation in full for a January ‘Spooktacular,’ which saw the contestants sing some frightful tunes.

Red Panda belted out Meatloaf’s classic Bat Out of Hell, showcasing some seriously impressive vocal abilities.

They had, however, been due to join Can of Worms, Disc Jockey, Gargoyle, Moth, and Sloth in week 1, but just minutes before the episode began, ITV confirmed Red Panda’s absence until further notice.

In a statement shared with Metro, a spokesperson said at the time: ‘In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda’s performance on The Masked Singer owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song.

‘Viewers will get to see Red Panda perform in the coming weeks.’

On New Year’s Eve, 40 people were killed, and many others were severely injured in a bar fire in Switzerland (Picture: EPA)

The tragedy in question occurred at Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve when a devastating fire killed 40 people and injured 116.

An investigation is currently ongoing, with Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French bar owners, cooperating. The couple has been accused of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence, but denies breaking safety rules.

The Masked Singer’s first episode of 2026 aired on January 3, just days after the fatal blaze.

Red Panda’s debut has since been uploaded to YouTube by fans who caught it on streaming, exposing the reasons why it was deemed potentially too ‘insensitive’ to show three weeks ago.

For what should’ve been their first song, Red Panda performed The Trammp’s 1976 hit Disco Inferno. Its lyrics include references to ‘burning down’, ‘exploding’, and ‘getting hot’, which provides context to the broadcaster’s decision to ditch the number.

What’s more, their staging involved the use of smoke machines and saw a plethora of dancers donning firefighters’ suits, grooving around the stage.

The character’s performance was deemed potentially ‘insensitive’ three weeks ago, resulting in it being delayed (Picture: ITV)

Red Panda’s attire also consists of the orange uniform, which costume designers have covered in burn marks, and a helmet with flames and a bucket symbol.

After getting to watch Red Panda in action at long last, viewers heaped praise on the loveable creature, having previously said it was ‘understandable’ why it was removed for a while.

@Sazzyness on X called them ‘beyond cute’, while @ifeelflames wrote: ‘Red panda is far too adorable’.

Comment now Who do you think Red Panda is?Comment Now

Audience theories were pretty varied, though, with names thrown out including both Harry and Jamie Redknapp, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Harry Hill, and Bob Mortimer, while plenty concluded it is ‘definitely an older man’.

Alas, the identity of the star underneath the mask shall remain a mystery, as Red Panda is yet to be eliminated.

Naturally, panellists Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan threw out a variety of guesses of their own, ranging from Duran Duran members to Jeff Brazier.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTfTwunDK72/

However, in true Masked Singer style, Red Panda’s clues were as vague and cryptic as can be.

Their first VT included clips of baby dummies, a letter addressed to ‘Rio Street, Birmingham’, a pile of golden rocks, and a shopping list consisting of hairspray, sun cream, pink apples, and five pears.

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Speaking with a high-pitched voice, Red Panda also made references to ‘scaling new heights’ and having ‘plenty of instruments’ to help them.

Meanwhile, this weekend saw them reference Roger Moore of James Bond, always being ‘up to date with the latest trend’, and ‘banding together’ with others.

Who do you think could be beneath the fur?

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The Masked Singer airs on ITV1 and ITVX.

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