The Masked Singer US finally hit UK shores this weekend, with the first episode airing on Saturday night.
And things got off to an awkward start as judge appeared to make a dig at Mel B as she attempted to figure out which famous face was behind the Butterfly.
Following the first performance, which saw The Egg and The Butterfly compete, the Pussycat Dolls star, 41, made a passing remark about the 45-year-old Spice Girl’s vocal talents.
Awkward:Nicole Scherzinger, appeared to make a dig at Mel B as she attempted to figure out which famous face was behind the Butterfly during The Masked Singer US on Saturday night
The show saw Nicole and her fellow judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Robin Thicke attempt to figure out who is behind the butterfly mask, after the mysterious person impressed with a version of Jessie J’s Bang Bang.
Ahead of their performance, The Butterfly gave clues to the judges about who they could be, saying in a clip: ‘Like the butterfly, for the past year I have been waiting patiently in my cocoon.
‘After achieving success in many stages of life, I found myself terrified of the place I used to call home and now with this mask I have found the courage to be reborn.’
While the judges speculated who the singer could be following their incredible vocals, Mel B’s name came up as a suggestion, but Nicole was quick to shoot that down.
Ouch! Following the first performance, which saw The Egg and The Butterfly compete, the Pussycat Dolls star, 41, made a passing remark about the 45-year-old Spice Girl’s vocal talents
In an apparent swipe at the Wannabe hitmaker, she coolly replied: ‘I don’t think Mel B has that kind of range.’
The format of The Masked Singer sees celebrities try to impress the judges and the audience by singer covers of hit songs, while their identity is kept secret with elaborate costumes.
At the end of each show, there is a vote for the favourite routine, with the singer with the fewest votes being eliminated, having to then take off their masks and reveal who they are.
Wow: The show saw Nicole and her fellow judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Robin Thicke attempt to figure out who is behind the butterfly mask, after the mysterious person impressed with a version of Jessie J’s Bang Bang
No way: While the judges speculated who the singer could be following their incredible vocals, Mel B’s name came up as a suggestion, but Nicole was quick to shoot that down
In the UK version of the series in January, former Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts was revealed as the voice behind Queen Bee and was crowned the winner.
Other celebrities who featured in the show were Katherine Jenkins, Teddy Sheringham, Jason Manford and Patsy Palmer.
After its popularity, ITV announced last month that the hit show would return for a second series.
Cheeky: In an apparent swipe at the Wannabe hitmaker, she coolly replied: ‘I don’t think Mel B has that kind of range’
Although the global health crisis has halted film and TV productions everywhere, Kevin Lygo, director of television at ITV, said that production on the popular singing competition will go ahead – but will adhere to strict social distancing rules.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Fest, the TV executive explained that the show would be filmed without a live studio audience and added that casting for an array of new famous faces was already underway.
He said: ‘It looks like we will have to do some shows without audiences…. [it’s] more manageable for us in an enclosed guarded space.’
Lygo added that when it comes to casting the celebrity faces ITV want to ensure that every face is recognisable to the audience.
Champion: The winner of the inaugural British series was Nicola Roberts, formerly of Girls Aloud, who had performed as Queen Bee
It’s coming back! ITV has confirmed The Masked Singer will return for a second instalment regardless of the coronavirus pandemic