Tonight's episode of The Masked Singer on ITV promises another round of enigmatic performances, but one contestant in particular has viewers buzzing with certainty about their true identity. Toastie, the character who has delivered powerful renditions of Walk This Way and Run To You, is at the centre of intense speculation, with fans pointing to a major clue that seems to give away the star behind the mask.
Clues Pointing to a Bolton Connection
Throughout the show, Toastie has dropped a series of cryptic hints that have set the rumour mill spinning. Clues such as "I started grafting pretty much fresh out the bakery" and "I can even hold my own with royalty" have been carefully analysed by eagle-eyed viewers. However, it was a visual clue that truly ignited the debate—a glimpse of three famous names from Bolton: Vernon Kay, Sara Cox, and Peter Kay.
This Bolton connection has led many to zero in on singer and Loose Women star Brenda Edwards as the likely candidate inside the Toastie costume. Fans have noted that Brenda performed at Bolton Wanderers FC's stadium for The Big Bolton Carol Concert in December 2022, a charity event supporting her late son Jamal Edwards' trust and other local causes. This aligns perfectly with the geographic hint provided on the show.
Career Parallels Strengthen the Case
Further bolstering the theory are the other clues that seem to match Brenda Edwards' life and career trajectory. The mention of "grafting" from a young age resonates with her early start in singing at church when she was eight years old, followed by balancing full-time work as an accounts-payable manager in the 1990s while pursuing music. Her big break came on The X Factor in 2005, which fits the narrative of hard-earned success.
Additionally, while Toastie's clue about not being "typecast" and performing on Broadway doesn't directly apply, Brenda has significant West End roles in musicals like Chicago and We Will Rock You. The reference to holding her own with royalty is also apt, as she performed at the Royal Variety Performance with the cast of Paddington The Musical, where she plays Mrs Brown.
Brenda Edwards' Denial Fails to Convince Fans
Despite the mounting evidence, Brenda Edwards has publicly denied being Toastie. In a direct response to a fan online, she wrote, "Toastie is Mica Paris," attempting to deflect the speculation. However, this denial has done little to quell the excitement among viewers, who remain unconvinced.
Social media is abuzz with comments from fans who are certain of her identity. One viewer shared, "Last week my 6 year old was convinced Toastie was Brenda Edwards after seeing her on the Royal Variety Performance. WHAT SIX YEAR OLD IS GUESSING BRENDA BLOODY EDWARDS.." Others echoed this sentiment, noting the distinctive mature voice and prior performances at Bolton Wanderers Stadium.
As the show continues, the mystery deepens, but for many, the clues add up to one conclusion: Toastie is Brenda Edwards, making tonight's performance all the more anticipated for those hoping to see their theory confirmed.
