Jonathan Ross ‘signs up to join The Masked Singer judging panel’

Jonathan Ross has signed up to judge barmy new ITV show The Masked Singer, a report suggests.

A smash hit in the United States with 14million viewers, The Masked Singer is coming to this side of the pond next year.

The South Korean format sees twelve celebrities become unique characters, which they must maintain throughout the series.

In each episode, the mysterious contestants sing to the nation dressed in their wacky costumes.

The least popular character then faces elimination – but before they leave, an all-star judging panel must try to guess their true identity.

According to The Sun, Jonathan will be one of the famous faces playing TV’s ultimate guessing game.

The chat show icon will apparently be the ‘lead’ judge, with three more names likely to sit alongside him.

“Landing Jonathan is a real coup for producers,” a source commented. “They think he’ll be hilarious fronting the panel and help make the series a success.

“He’s the big name they needed to get the show off the ground and encourage viewers to take it seriously.”

While this will be Jonathan’s first role on a TV talent contest, he’s not quite new to judging.

The funnyman also helps to choose the winners on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle.

News of Jonathan’s involvement in The Masked Singer comes after claims that Joel Dommett will host the show.

It is set to be the comedian and I’m A Celebrity runner-up’s first presenting job on a major channel.

Chiefs have yet to confirm or comment on either of the appointments.

ITV’s head of entertainment Siobhan Greene recently said: “Not very often, a show comes along that seems to abandon all the rules… and this is it.

“The Masked Singer is original, bold, funny and a proper guessing game, that we hope will have the nation hooked.”

The eight-part first series is due to air stripped across consecutive nights in early 2020.