The Masked Singer UK has captivated the nation since the beginning of the year, modelled on the hugely successful US series of the same name.
This Saturday will see the three remaining contestants exposed, as the Hedgehog, the Octopus and the Queen Bee take off their masks before the panel of celebrity judges.
Daniel Nettleton and Derek McLean, co-founders of the production company Bandicoot– which is backed by Argonon – are the men responsible for bringing the show across the pond.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Online, the directors opened up about the “military operation” behind the production.
Just six people know the identities of each celebrity inside the suit during filming, as the show bosses employ strict regulations in order to keep things under wraps.
Nettleton and McLean have even refused to tell their own family members, as they joked “it will be such a relief to not have this secret any more” after Saturday’s finale.
Below are the strict set of rules each celeb contestant is forced to adhere to when taking part.
Daniel Nettleton and Derek McLean co-founded the production company Bandicoot (Image: ITV)
No cameras or phones
Celebs are allowed to bring their phone into their dressing rooms, but cameras and filming devices were strictly prohibited.
Bandicoot’s Nettleton said: “Everyone who came on site we had to put a blocker on their camera. Even us, we had them on our phones as well.
“They were allowed to have their phones on them in the dressing room, but they weren’t allowed to have their phones on them walking around the site.”
Luckily, the rules meant that not a single photo was leaked from the production – marking a major success.
The celebrity judges – like Davina McCall – are just as baffled by the identities of the celebs inside (Image: ITV)
Use code names
Before the celeb contestants chose their desired costume, they were given mysterious code names of their own.
Nettleton said: “We had code names before they allocated the character, the cast as a whole would use code names.”
Later, once they decided which character they wanted to become, their codename would be updated.
He explained: “Once they were signed up and they’d chosen the character they wanted to be, they then became that – Chameleon became Chameleon.”
Hit songstress Kelis was revealed as the Daisy earlier in the series (Image: ITV)
Keep it secret
Stars were advised against telling anyone – even family members or partners – they were taking part in the show.
Nettleton explained: “It’s the guessing game that has created the phenomenon that is the masked singer UK. if those names were out there, the game just simply wouldn’t work. “
Unfortunately, once filming wrapped, the directors found out that certain celebs had spilt the beans with their loved ones – for example, the Daisy’s Kelis told her children.
Rita Ora has been stumped over the true identities of the celebs inside (Image: ITV)
Head-to-toe disguise
While it’s common knowledge that the celebrities were forced to wear a disguise on set, so too were their entourage.
The stars’ agents and managers had no choice but to wear head-to-toe black and a visor in order to access the studio, in a bid to prevent any speculation.
Bandicoot’s McLean explained: “Their agent would know, but their agent would be under a very heavy NDA. If their agent came down on site they would also have to dress in a very heavy disguise because obviously you could associate a celebrity with their agent.
“They were subject to the same strict control as the celebrity.”
The identity of the Queen Bee will be revealed on Saturday (Image: ITV)
Hotel accommodation
Stars living nearby the studios were permitted to stay at home, but those from afar were set up with a hotel room for the week.
The directors revealed that every celebrity was sent to a different hotel to avoid raising eyebrows, and was picked up at the front door by individual drivers.
McLean added: “They’re all spread around so they don’t know where each one are. None of the two celebrities are in the same hotel.”
The Masked Singer final airs on Saturday at 7pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
