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- It’s Official: These Are the New Judges for The Masked Singer Australia
It’s Official: These Are the New Judges for The Masked Singer Australia
by
Basmah Qazi
Network Ten
The Masked Singer has gone through a mass exodus, with three judges quitting the show in the span of a month. The most recent casualty was Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, who surprised fans recently with the announcement that she was leaving the show.
The radio host, who has been on the panel since its inception in 2019, shared the news on Instagram.
“If someone had told me years ago that I’d be on a show with singing and dancing prawns, unicorns and an octopus, I would have thought they were crazy!” she wrote underneath a selfie with Urzila Carlson, Dannii Minogue and the only remaining panellist Dave Hughes.
“Along came The Masked Singer which gave me years of the most fun I’ve ever had on TV due largely to the fact that I worked with an amazing panel and host who have become lifelong friends.”
She went on to explain that despite it being “an incredibly tough decision”, she chose to leave the show so she can give more time to her daughter, Kitty.
“Filming always coincides with school holidays and after three years of missing out I’ve decided to spend my mid-year radio break holidaying with my daughter whilst she’s still happy to hang out with her mum,” she continued.
“I look forward to watching the show from the couch.”
Now, 10 has confirmed that the new panel of judges will be comprised of comedian Dave Hughes, Spice Girl Mel B, and reality stars/media personalities Abbie Chatfield and Chrissie Swan.
Let’s dive in.
Mel B
She’s the M-to-the-E-L-B (that’s a reference to her solo song “I Want You Back”, ICYMI), and now, she’ll be one of the judges on The Masked Singer Australia.
Mel B has spent a lot of time in Australia over the years as a judge on reality TV competitions like Australia’s Got Talent and The X Factor, so she’s likely to be at least somewhat familiar with the Australian talent likely to be competing on The Masked Singer. Even better, she’s even competed on The Masked Singer, which makes her perfectly qualified to take on the judging panel, TBH!
In a statement, Mel said: “Hello Australia. I have missed you so much but I am back and I can’t wait to get the party started with Hughesy, Abbie and Chrissie.
“Let me tell you though, I am the best-ever game player and I have something up my sleeve that none of these guys have… I’ve hidden behind these masks as a competitor not once but twice.
“So I’m bringing all my secret inside knowledge to this. But more to the point, I’m bringing the fun. Fasten your seatbelts everyone, it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride.”
Abbie Chatfield
From one radio queen to another, Abbie Chatfield will replace Jackie O on The Masked Singer. The former reality TV star has made quite the name for herself since finishing up on The Bachelor.
She appeared on Bachelor In Paradise, went on to win I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! In 2021 and hosted Love Island Afterparty in the same year. She also has her own podcast, It’s A Lot, and a radio show, Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield.
“I am thrilled to be joining the panel!” she said in a statement. “I’m the first to say I can be competitive and I’m so ready to put my pop culture knowledge to the test and guess who is under the mask. Bring on the clues!”
Chrissie Swan
Finally, we have one of Australia’s most beloved media personalities and reality stars, Chrissie Swan.
She first won us over all the way back in Season 3 of Big Brother Australia, and she’s only become more popular since then. Not only is she a successful breakfast radio host, she’s also competed on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, where she finished third.
“I’m here to guess who is under the masks, I’m here to get them right and I mean business!” she said in a statement. “And let’s face it, I couldn’t possibly be any worse than Hughesy at guessing them correctly!”
Finally, we’ll have Dave Hughes back once again, and despite the turbulent changes to the judging panel, Hughesy can’t wait to get started.
“How lucky am I to already have three amazing years with a brilliant cast,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to another season of so much fun with a stellar new guessing group. They are going to look for me for guidance. God help them.”
