Rita Ora sees her fellow The Masked Singer panellist Davina McCall as a ‘sister’ after the pair grew close while working on the show.
Singer Rita, 32, and former Big Brother host Davina, 55, have appeared together on the series since season one in 2020 and they are about to take part in the fourth run, which begins on Sunday.
And pop star Rita said she respects Davina ‘so much’ as she opened up about their relationship, telling The Sun: ‘I’ve learnt a lot from her — she’s my sister, for sure.
Close bond: Rita Ora, 33 (pictured), sees her fellow The Masked Singer panellist Davina McCall, 55, as a ‘sister’ after the pair grew close while working on the show
‘When I think of British TV, I think of Davina. She’s been on my screen ever since I can remember. I respect her so much with what she’s done.’
Davina said: ‘We appreciate each other in a very nice way. I really love Rita. She’s a girl’s girl.
‘Rita is about lifting people up. I never hear her put people down. She’s a very, very nice person, which can be rare in this industry.’
Regular fixtures: Singer Rita and former Big Brother host Davina (left) have appeared together on the series since season one in 2020
She added that while they ‘take the mickey out of each other’, there is a ‘lot of love’.
The Masked Singer sees 12 celebrity acts sing while disguised in extravagant and outrageous costumes, as a star panel tries to guess their identities.
In 2023 series, which stars on Sunday, audiences will watch as Fawn, Jacket Potato, Piece Of Cake, Pigeon, Rhino, Rubbish, Ghost, Jellyfish, Knitting, Otter, Phoenix and a duo, for the first time, called Cat & Mouse are revealed as famous faces.
Emotional: Davina (second left) said two of the performers on The Masked Singer UK made her cry, as the competition returns on Sunday (Davina pictured with her fellow judges Mo Gilligan, left, Rita Ora, second right, and Jonathan Ross, right, as well as host Joel Dommett, centre)
Television magic: When asked if any of the performances have made her cry, Davina said: ‘Absolutely’
Star quality: Panellist Rita was in good spirits as she posed alongside Fawn ahead of the new series
The previous series saw pop star Natalie Imbruglia, as Panda, crowned the winner, while former England footballer Michael Owen was found to be Doughnuts, and singer Charlotte Church was revealed as Mushroom.
Rita and Davina will be joined on the judging panel by Jonathan Ross and comedian Mo Gilligan, as Joel Dommett returns to his hosting duties.
When asked if any of the performances have made her cry, Davina said: ‘Absolutely – Jellyfish is an extraordinary performer and has made us all feel pretty emotional.
All stars: Host Joel Dommett looks stylish in a mint green suit as he poses with Cat & Mouse ahead of the 2023 series
‘Rhino, as well, has been particularly emotive. There are people who completely draw you in.’
She added that the celebrity playing Rhino is ‘massive and quite humble’ and puts his ‘little hooves together’ in a sweet movement.
Davina also said, of her fellow judges, that Jonathan has been the ‘naughtiest’, Rita, has been ‘the most hilarious’ and Mo has been ‘nice to see again’.
The Masked Singer starts on 1st January at 6.30pm ITV1 and ITVX.
Comeback: The Masked Singer starts on 1st January at 6.30pm ITV1 and ITVX (Panellist Jonathan Ross seen with Knitting)
