The Masked Singer: Gabrielle says Harlequin suit caused panic attacks that almost made her quit the show

Popstar said she feared the arduous role would be 'the end of my career'

Singer-songwriter Gabrielle has revealed that the costume she wore on The Masked Singer almost caused her to leave the show.

The “Dreams” popstar was unmasked on Saturday (6 February) as the singer behind the Harlequin persona on the latest season of the hit ITV reality series.

But in an interview following her exit from The Masked Singer, Gabrielle revealed the toll that the elaborate disguise had taken on her wellbeing.

“There were times that I struggled with the panic attacks and the heat,” she said (per The Mirror). “I think at one stage I could have given up, I didn't mean to.”

She said that she “would have run” if she had known what the costume was like during early rehearsals, but was only shown the Harlequin outfit once she was already on board.

Read more: Full list of odds for the remaining contestants on The Masked Singer

“In fact, the first day I had my full costume on I was saying, ‘call my lawyers, I'm going home, I can't do this, this is going to be the end of my career’,” she said.

Gabrielle, real name Louise Gabrielle Bobb, also said that she had to be “talked down from a ledge” because she was “so panicked” and “stressed”.

The outfit worn by Gabrielle throughout her time on the show (ITV)

“I was pulling and having the most strops and saying, ‘I'm not coming back on Monday’,” she added. “There was a lot of behind-the-scenes toing and froing, bless them, everybody was amazing.”

The Masked Singer concludes on ITV this Saturday (13 February) at 7pm.