Latest news with #Pufferfish
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV The Masked Singer winner's 'must-see' film is now available to stream
Frozen fans can now relive the magic of the West End musical, starring Samantha Barks The Masked Singer winner Samantha Barks' "must-see" film is now available to stream. Samantha famously clinched the title in the sixth series of the popular ITV singing contest in February, with Gregory Porter and Marti Pellow coming in second and third place, respectively. Concealed behind the memorable Pufferfish mask, Samantha delivered a variety of pop and musical theatre classics. Viewers will recall her captivating performance of Chappell Roan's Good Luck, Babe, Teddy Swims' Lose Control, and Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl. In the grand finale, Samantha performed a breathtaking duet with McFly's Danny Jones, belting out Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, reports Surrey Live. Samantha first shot to fame in 2008 as one of the finalists in I'd Do Anything - the BBC talent hunt for a fresh face to play Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver! Since then, she has graced the stage in several hit musicals, including Cabaret, Chicago, and Pretty Woman. After portraying Éponine in Les Misérables on the West End, producer Cameron Mackintosh selected Samantha to reprise the role in the 25th Anniversary Concert of the show, and in the 2012 musical film. Her rendition of On My Own remains one of the most celebrated performances to date, even making it onto the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release. Most recently, she played Elsa in the West End production of Frozen, which ran from August 2021 to September 2024. Frozen enthusiasts can now experience the enchantment all over again as the stage production, captured at the stunning Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, is available to stream. The acclaimed Broadway and West End musical, which draws inspiration from Disney's hit film, was recorded early last year and made its debut on Disney+ today (Friday, June 20). Samantha takes on the role of the enchanting Queen Elsa, with Laura Dawkes portraying her lively younger sister Anna. Completing the principal line-up are Jammy Kasongo as Kristoff, Craig Gallivan as the lovable Olaf, Oliver Ormson playing Hans, and Richard Frame as the Duke of Weselton. Audiences can expect a dazzling display of music and magic on stage, complete with awe-inspiring surprises and top-notch special effects. In addition to the beloved original songs, the show introduces 12 new musical numbers. In a conversation with the WhatsOnStage podcast in March, Samantha expressed her delight at the prospect of her 20-month-old son, Rafael, being able to see her performance on Disney+. "It's really exciting. It was a really beautiful moment when we found out we were going to do that because you're doing a show like Frozen, which means so much to me professionally and personally," she said. "Having Raffi, I was thinking, 'Oh, he'll never see it'. And then you find out you're going to be filmed for Disney Plus, and it's like, 'Wow, it'll live on forever'. My nieces can watch it everyday and Raffi can watch it if he wants to." The West End production has been showered with accolades, as one theatre-goer exclaimed: "Magnificent is an understatement. I was overwhelmed with emotion at the whole thing, loved every minute." Equally impressed, another remarked: "I was blown away by the West End production. The singing is stirring, the orchestration is phenomenal, the visual effects are stunning! I was moved to tears," while someone else proclaimed: "It's the best stage musical. A truly must see production of this generation." Frozen the Musical is available to stream on Disney+
The Independent
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pufferfish crowned winner of The Masked Singer 2025
Pufferfish has been crowned winner of The Masked Singer 2025. The triumphant celebrity, who had masked their identity in an elaborate costume, was revealed to be musical theatre star and Les Miserables actress Samantha Barks in the final of the ITV1 show. Barks, 34, who played Elsa in West End musical Frozen last year, said: 'I've had the best time, I really have had the best time. 'Underneath the mask I've been smiling so hard it's hurting my cheeks. It's been amazing. 'Thank you all so much for your lovely comments.' Later, in a post to Instagram, she added: 'The Pufferfish is out the bag!!! 'Thank you so much to everyone at the Masked Singer @itv for being so kind and making it such a fabulous experience. 'I have loved watching everyone playing along and guessing!!'. The runner-up, Dressed Crab, was Grammy award-winning singer Gregory Porter, who said the show 'was just straight-up fun'. The first finalist to have their identity revealed was Scottish singer Marti Pellow, the former lead singer of pop group Wet Wet Wet. Pellow, who had been dressed as Wolf, said: 'I've had a fantastic time. It's just been an incredible experience for me.' TV presenter and comedian Joel Dommett opened the final of the series with a rendition of Blondie's One Way Or Another before introducing panellists Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama, Davina McCall and Danny Jones – who won the show last year as Piranha. In the first set of performances Wolf sang Poker Face by Lady Gaga while Pufferfish sang Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. Panellist Jones guessed the singer behind the fish mask could be singer Perrie Edwards, while Ross thought it could be Nicole Scherzinger. Elsewhere, Dressed Crab impressed with a performance of Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers, which Dommett said was 'beautiful'. The finalists were also joined by past contestants to sing duets. Knitting (Claire Richards) and Wolf sang With You I'm Born Again, famously performed by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright, while Pufferfish sang Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart with Piranha (Jones). Porter, in his Dressed Crab costume, was joined by Airfryer (Keala Settle) and they performed Ain't No Mountain High Enough, as sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Barks' final performance was One Night Only from the musical Dreamgirls.
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Who won the Masked Singer 2025?
After weeks of crazy costume filled competition, the winner of this year's Masked Singer has been crowned. The final was an epic showdown between Pufferfish, Dressed Crab and Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and Davina McCall were joined by Danny Jones who won the competition last year as the final trio gave their last performances on the show, the panel got to work putting their guesses forward for which famous faces could be behind the masks. So who won the competition and more importantly - which celebrities were revealed on the night? Read on to find out more! It was Pufferfish who was crowned the winner of The Masked Singer were some interesting guesses from the panel on which celebrity Pufferfish could be following their rendition of Baby One More Time by Britney Spears, including singers Perrie Edwards and Nicole the end, the famous face behind the mask was revealed to be musical theatre star Samantha Barks. The actress has starred in Les Miserables and also played Elsa in the West End musical Frozen last year. "I've had the best time, I really have had the best time," Samantha said following her win. "Underneath the mask I've been smiling so hard it's hurting my cheeks. It's been amazing."Thank you all so much for your lovely comments."This year's runner-up was Dressed Crab who was revealed to be Grammy award-winning singer Gregory Porter. He said the show "was just straight-up fun".Wolf, who finished in third place, was Scottish singer Marti Pellow. He's the former lead singer of the pop group Wet Wet Wet."I've had a fantastic time. It's just been an incredible experience for me," said Marti. What do you think about the final result? Did your favourite win? You can let us know in the comments below.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ITV The Masked Singer fans say Wolf was 'robbed' after star unmasked as 80s legend Marti Pellow
Fans of The Masked Singer said Wolf was 'robbed' as the character was unmasked as an 80s legend during Saturday night's grand final (February 15). After losing out on a spot in the final two to Pufferfish and Dressed Crab, Wolf finished the ITV singing contest in third place, where it was revealed that he was Wet Wet Wet's former frontman Marti Pellow. The Scottish singer, 59, who ruled the radio in the late 80s and 90s as the lead singer of the iconic pop band, shocked the judges Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and guest judge Danny Jones when he emerged from under the Wolf costume. READ MORE: BBC Breakfast halted as Naga Munchetty announces heartbreaking news READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Vito Coppola declares love for co-star as he admits 'I tried' and needs 'time with family' Throughout the series, Wolf's clues made reference to having had a tough time in the past and defying expectations to follow their career. They said: "It's all about new foundations. If you wanna keep a roof over your head, I should know. Not that I'm bitter about the business." Guesses from the judging panel included Richard E. Grant, Tony Hadley, David Tennant and Mike Skinner. But whilst many viewers at home guessed it was the 80s star hiding behind Wolf's costume, they fear he was 'robbed' of winning the show. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, after Marti's identity was revealed, @Momrocks50 wrote: "Wolf robbed #MaskedSingerUK," as @Momrocks50 echoed: "Wolf was robbed #MaskedSingerUK." @vixen_1 said: "Gutted that my fave #wolf didn't win but he will always be a winner to me #maskedsingeruk," as @Paullyie echoed: "Wolf should have won." @MrLThomas wrote: "How Wolf did not win is beyond. He brought talent and entertainment. #maskedsingeruk," as @MissMarrple agreed: "Away to hell… How's Wolf not in the final?? #maskedsingeruk." @OrangeDecMan96 also said: "I thought Wolf will win! But no. #MaskedSingerUK," as @Pecks1992 added: "Honestly surprised that Wolf finished 3rd; thought he'd win #maskedsingeruk."
Telegraph
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Masked Singer final, ITV1, review: No element of surprise meant fishy finale was a damp squib
Pufferfish might have blown the competition away but the result was a let-down. A predictable batch of reveals and a blandly boring winner meant that a hitherto strong series of The Masked Singer (ITV1) ended with a whimper, not a bang. 'Take it off!' chanted the audience. 'Turn it off!' groaned viewers at home. After swimming to victory, big-lunged Pufferfish was confirmed to be West End diva Samantha Barks. The piscine performer possessed a serious set of pipes but her identity was so obvious, it sucked all the air out of proceedings. 'TV's biggest musical mystery' relies on the element of surprise, hence this finale was a damp squib. The sixth series of the kitschy crooning contest reached its climax with three fancy-dressed celebrities standing. It was like a wildlife documentary gone horribly wrong as Pufferfish, Wolf and Dressed Crab battled it out to be crowned champion. All the disguised famous faces had been widely guessed, both online and in the press. Their unmaskings weren't a patch on the franchise's all-time best: Kermit the Frog emerging from a giant snail's shell on the US edition. Although frankly, what could be? Apart perhaps from Miss Piggy riding in on Shergar. Barks can consider herself fortunate to edge out Dressed Crab, aka runner-up Gregory Porter. The Grammy-winner's velvety soulful voice has been a series standout. Beneath the crustacean costume, Porter sported his signature flat cap with a chin strap. It must have been unbearably sweaty under there. He deserved to scuttle sideways to victory. In third place was Wolf, hotly tipped to be Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow. So it proved, despite Jonathan Ross' repeated insistence all series that it was Sir Cliff Richard. A howler if ever there was one. Once he removed his lupine disguise, Pellow performed a crowd-pleasing rendition of Love Is All Around from Four Weddings & A Funeral. A suitably soppy choice for the day after Valentine's. The panel of Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and McFly's ubiquitous Danny Jones – reigning champion after winning last year's series as Piranha – tried to work out the hopefuls' identities. Joel Dommett hosted with a sparkly tuxedo and cue cards packed with painful puns. His riddle-me-this clues were often reminiscent of retro gameshow 3-2-1. What no Ted Rogers or Dusty Bin? Jama came into this final having clocked up the most correct guesses. Replacing irritant Rita Ora, she has proved a considerable upgrade. Ross' jokily left-field guesses have become a running joke. Any woman is Mary Berry. Any man is Peter Kay. Indeed, producers should be pulling out all the stops to persuade Kay to sign up for the next series as Garlic Bread. However, comedian Mo Gilligan's absences due to 'scheduling clashes' were a problem. A revolving cast of rather random replacements - Olympians, actors, basically whoever picks up the phone first - were game enough but felt like a botched solution. If Gilligan can't commit to a primetime show for eight weeks, he should probably bow out. This has been an enjoyably eventful run for the surreal South Korean sing-off. Highlights have included Pegasus blatantly being Dame Prue Leith, Kingfisher turning out to be artist Sir Grayson Perry and Macy Gray's distinctive raspy vocals giving her away as Toad in the Hole - swiftly followed by Gray stomping off-stage in a huff. Sure, it's tacky, trashy and unashamedly daft but The Masked Singer's kitschy blend of crowd-pleasing tunes, tongue-in-cheek humour and colourful head-to-toe costumes makes for irresistible, family-friendly fun. It's been a blast of brightness and warmth during the dark winter months. It's also a rare ITV light entertainment franchise which doesn't depend on Ant and Dec. Don't relax and remove your earplugs yet, though. Just when you thought the noisy Saturday night nonsense was over, it will be replaced in next weekend's schedules by Britain's Got Talent. And guess who's hosting?
