The Masked Singer: Fans stunned after Justin Hawkins unveiled as chameleon

Episode follows the show's launch, during which viewers branded it the 'worst show' they had ever seen

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins is the latest celebrity to be unveiled on controversial singing competition The Masked Singer UK.

Fans were stunned to see the musician unmasked after wearing a chameleon costume during the show.

Following his exit, Hawkins said he had some misgivings about taking part, and explained how he kept his performance a secret.

“I wanted to take part in something that would be slightly surreal, and the secrecy made it a very exciting. Like having an extra-musical affair,” Hawkins told Radio Times.

“Keeping secrets is challenging, especially when you effectively disappear for the duration of the filming. I used a combination of bluffery, bare faced lies and vague muttering to explain my absences. I’m basically James Bond.”

He said the most difficult part about the show was learning “relatively modern songs”.

“I’m not fond of new music, so I had to force myself to assimilate inferior compositions,” Hawkins said. “Plus it was difficult to sing from within a helmet.”

It turned out The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins was underneath the chameleon costume (ITV)

Following the show's launch on 4 January, many viewers branded it "the worst" they had ever seen.

The singing contest, hosted by comedian Joel Dommett, sees celebrities perform underneath an elaborate costume, meaning they can only be identified by their voice.

Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Ken Jeong and Rita Ora make up the judging panel.

The Masked Singer continues on ITV on Saturdays at 7pm.