The Masked Singer Christmas particular winner is revealed as Nutcracker and unmasked as 80s pop legend

The Masked Singer Christmas Special winner has been unmasked as a legendary 80s pop icon during Thursday’s show. 

Frankie Goes To Hollywood singer Holly Johnson won the festive special after performing as character Nutcracker.

Holly beat the likes of Davina McCall, Josie Gibson and Motsi Mabuse to be crowned the 2024 Christmas champion and admitted he ‘can’t believe’ he has taken part in the show.

He said: ‘I’ve enjoyed performing, I don’t ever have to do panto now’.

The star, who found fame in Frankie Goes to Hollywood in 1980, also made a gag about ‘cracking Joel’s nuts’ after playing the Nutcracker.

His band, who was made up of Holly, Paul Rutherford, Mark O’Toole, Brian Nash and Peter Gill, enjoyed hits such as Relax and The Power of Love.

Elsewhere during the episode, Davina left fans completely shocked as she was unmasked as Star after having brain surgery.

The presenter, 57, who has appeared as a judge for six series on the hit show, clearly picked up some tricks as she was voted second place after performing two festive tunes, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and This Christmas.

Davina looked in amazing spirits as she returned to TV after having surgery to remove a rare benign tumour on her brain. 

Regular panellists Jonathon Ross, 64, and Mo Gilligan, 36, were left gobsmacked as they were joined by guest judges Jennifer Saunders, 66, and Dawn French, 67.

Jonathan said: ‘There is absolutely no way, we thought you couldn’t sing that well. I’m glad your OK, but to me you are now dead’

Joel added: ‘I said you had diarrhoea and couldn’t be here’. 

Davina replied: ‘I thought you might get me with the DVD one. It has been a ball, thank you!’

The presenter put on an incredible performance before jumping around the stage in her amazing costume with joy.

Davina later gushed that the show was ‘one of the greatest experiences of my life’ as she explained how she had so much ‘fun’ being the other side of the show.

She said: ‘I learnt such an enormous amount and now massively, even more than I already did, respect the people who take part in the series because it’s eight shows, that’s a lot of songs to learn.

‘Firstly keeping a secret from my kids all summer, twice Holly and Chester asked me why I was singing Christmas songs. 

‘Also from the panel, Maya [Jama] asked me if I could sing and I said, ‘absolutely not, I’d never do this show.’ Harriet Rose asked me whilst filming The Aftermask, our spin off show, would I ever do the show and I said no! The ruse has been quite funny because in my head I’d be thinking some day you’ll all see.’

Explaining how she got away with the huge secret, Davina said it was the ‘maddest ruse’ she has ever done. 

She continued: ‘Texting the bosses at eight o’clock who were obviously in on it but I had to text them and to tell them I had to miss the recording of the Christmas special. They had to text the whole production team and tell them. 

‘I know this is all going on in the building next door, but there I am sitting in a please Don’t Speak To Me t-shirt with a balaclava on. It was just the maddest ruse I have ever done.

‘I didn’t expect to enjoy the whole process of singing as much as I did. I’ve booked a singing lesson for after the recording of the show and I’m going to carry on singing. Just for myself, not to sing anywhere or do anything but just because I loved it!’

Elsewhere during The Masked Singer Josie Gibson admitted she was completely ‘out of her comfort zone’ as she was the first celebrity as Cracker to be unmasked on the hit ITV show. 

Judge Jonathan admitted: ‘I would have not guessed that!’

The This Morning presenter, who sang Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes, said: ‘I’m so far out of my comfort zone. The cooking reference is from when I did cooking with the stars. 

‘I’ve really stepped out of my comfort zone and had to give it my all. I can’t believe no one thought I was Adele‘.

Elsewhere Turkey was revealed to be Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse as she sang Wonderful Christmastime.

Host Joel Dommett is set to return to the 2025 series, while Rita Ora will be replaced by Maya Jama.

This will mark Maya’s first role on a prime-time ITV1 show, following her huge success as Love Island presenter.

Speaking of joining the show, Maya said: ‘I’m such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo – and of course working with Joel – is going to be so much fun!

‘I can’t wait to figure out who’s underneath all those incredible costumes, vibe to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings.

‘I’ve watched the show for a long time, so I’m definitely bringing my A-game to the panel!’

A source also told The Sun: ‘This is a huge deal for Maya, who’s now one of telly’s fastest rising stars.

‘It puts her in front of a huge Saturday night audience every week on a show watched by everyone from kids to pensioners.

‘Up to now she’s had a following which is very young due to Love Island, but signing for The Masked Singer would take her career into a whole new league.’

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure will become a new guest judge on the series, alongside regulars Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall.

Last year’s season saw the show won by McFly’s Danny Jones, who had been behind the Piranha costume.

Runners-up were The Last Leg co-host Alex Brooker (as Bigfoot) and singer Lemar (as Cricket).

Previous winners of the show include Busted’s Charlie Simpson, Torn singer Natalie Imbruglia, Grammy-Award winning artist Joss Stone and Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts.

With over 37 million viewers since its 2020 launch, the show continues to be a must-watch.

At the time of writing the popular show has been renewed for one more season which is likely to air in 2026.

The Masked Singer Christmas Special will air at 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player and the new series of The Masked Singer starts on Saturday 4th January at 7pm.