DAVINA McCall has revealed there are plans underway for ITV hit The Masked Singer to return to filming in September – and may even have a studio audience.
The 52-year-old serves as a judge on the singing competition alongside Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora and Ken Jeong and shared her excitement for the return of the show's production in the wake of the coronavirus.
With lockdown rules easing and social distancing reducing from two metres to one, Davina explained that having an live studio audience could be possible.
Speaking on her podcast Making The Cut, a thrilled Davina said: "It’s coming back! We are going to start filming in September or October.
"The audience situation will be easier with a one-metre rule. But things are changing so rapidly now with the easing that September is a lifetime away.
"It may well be that social distancing has gone out the window by that point."
Davina's confirmation comes less than two months after Kevin Lygo, director of television at ITV, said that production on the series would go ahead – with or without an audience.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Fest, Lygo revealed that casting for new famous faces was already underway for The Masked Singer.
The TV boss said: "It looks like we will have to do some shows without audiences…. [it's] more manageable for us in an enclosed guarded space.
"The challenge for the production company and us is that when the big reveal comes, you don't go 'who the f**k is that?'."
The inaugural series in January was a runway hit and saw Nicola Roberts win over audiences as Queen Bee.
Other notable famous faces that competed were Jason Manford, Denise Van Outen, Katherine Jenkins and Justin Hawkins.
Last month, The Sun's Bizarre column revealed that ITV bosses will re-air the last American version of The Masked Singer over the summer to fill gaps in the schedule.
The broadcaster has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and was left with gaping holes in its primetime slots after shows including Britain’s Got Talent’s live shows were put on ice.
A source said: “Huge shows on ITV have been pulled or put on ice because of the pandemic so bosses are having a nightmare trying to work out how to fill them.
“The Masked Singer was a ratings hit for them here so they’ve decided to air the American version every weekend over the summer.
“To them it was an obvious choice because it was so popular and the formula is identical.
“Obviously some of the stars might not be recognisable to them but it’s still a great show.”
Nicole Scherzinger is a judge on the American version of the show, alongside comedian Ken Jeong, TV personality Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg and Blurred Lines singer Robin Thicke.
ITV have been praised for their work during the crisis, including their ability to keep their flagship daytime show This Morning on air throughout.
While Emmerdale and Coronation Street have returned to filming by using strict social distancing measures.
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