The mystery surrounding The Masked Singer's missing contestant has deepened after a leaked performance hit the internet, with compelling clues pointing to a legendary Birmingham-born pop icon.
Why Red Panda Was Pulled From The Launch Show
Red Panda's debut on ITV's The Masked Singer was abruptly removed from the series launch episode on Saturday, January 3. The broadcaster made a last-minute decision to cut the performance, citing potential insensitivities following the tragic New Year's Eve events at a Swiss ski resort, which resulted in 40 fatalities and 119 injuries.
ITV released a statement explaining: “In light of the tragic events in Switzerland, we took the decision to remove Red Panda's performance on The Masked Singer in tonight's programme owing to potential insensitivities within the theme and lyrics of the song.” The character had been set to sing 'Disco Inferno' by The Trammps while dressed in a fireman's outfit, leading to the editorial call. This cut shortened the premiere's runtime by ten minutes.
Leaked Clues Fuel Celebrity Identity Speculation
Despite the official edit, an unedited version of the episode briefly appeared on Sky UK's Catch-Up TV, and the performance was subsequently uploaded to YouTube. This leak revealed Red Panda's full clue package, sending eagle-eyed fans into a detective frenzy.
The clues presented included:
- Baby dummies
- A gold rock
- A letter addressed to '5 Rio Street, Birmingham'
- A shopping list featuring hairspray, suncream, and 'pink apples and pears'
These details have led many viewers to a single, compelling conclusion: the person inside the Red Panda costume is Simon Le Bon, the iconic frontman of Duran Duran.
How The Clues Connect to Simon Le Bon
The evidence linking the clues to Le Bon is striking. The address, '5 Rio Street', is a direct nod to Duran Duran's global 1982 hit single 'Rio'. The band's origins are firmly rooted in Birmingham; they formed while members were studying at the University of Birmingham and launched their career from the city's famous Rum Runner nightclub.
Birmingham has since honoured the group with the Lord Mayor's Award and a blue plaque at the Rum Runner site, cementing the city as their spiritual home. The 'gold rock' likely references the numerous gold records the band has earned over their decades-long career.
Furthermore, 'apples and pears' is classic Cockney rhyming slang for 'stairs'. Duran Duran has a track titled 'Last Chance on the Stairway' on their 1981 album 'Rio'. Finally, the baby dummies could be a reference to Le Bon becoming a grandfather in January 2025, after his eldest daughter, model Amber, gave birth.
Red Panda is now scheduled to make their belated television debut tonight, Saturday, January 17, at 7pm on ITV. They will perform alongside fellow masked celebrities Sloth, Moth, Gargoyle, and Can of Worms, as the competition continues.
