Reality TV star Sam Thompson has broken his silence after a wave of online speculation identified him as the celebrity behind the Sloth costume on the new series of ITV's The Masked Singer.
Social Media Buzz Points to I'm A Celeb Star
The hit ITV guessing game returned for a new series on Saturday, 4 January 2026, instantly sparking feverish debate about the identities of the new characters. Following Sloth's energetic debut performance to 'Break My Stride' by Matthew Wilder, complete with fluorescent sweatbands and workout gear, countless viewers took to social media to name Sam Thompson as their prime suspect.
The Made in Chelsea and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! star found himself inundated with messages from fans convinced he was the person inside the elaborate costume.
Thompson's Cheeky Instagram Response
Addressing the rumours directly, Thompson posted a playful clip on his Instagram. He shared a video of panellist Maya Jama from last year's series, where she speculated he was a contestant then, captioning it: "Looks like this is relevant again exactly a year on! apparently I'm the sloth!"
He followed this with a cheeky video of himself wearing a hood, repeatedly raising his eyebrows and smiling into the camera, accompanied by a string of crying-laughter emojis. The cryptic post neither confirmed nor denied the rumours, instead fuelling further excitement amongst his followers.
Decoding the Sloth's Clues
The clues presented for Sloth during the premiere have given armchair detectives plenty to analyse:
- The workout-themed outfit, including a mesh top and pink leotard.
- The line: "I’m bringing fitness, fashion and fierceness to the competition."
- A visual clue showing Sloth in a jungle, potentially nodding to Thompson's stint on I'm A Celebrity.
- Other cryptic visuals included snooker cues and a pair of handcuffs in water.
Other celebrities guessed by the panel and public include Ben Fogle, Nitro from Gladiators, Roman Kemp, Jamie Laing, and Jordan North.
The new series has already seen its first elimination, with Disc Jockey unmasked as The One Show host Alex Jones. The Masked Singer continues on ITV tonight at 6.30pm.
