The Masked Singer narrows to three finalists after double elimination twist

The Masked Singer is heading into its grand final after a semi-final episode on Feb. 7, 2026 (ET) delivered a double unmasking and set up a three-act showdown. The hour mixed the show’s usual clue-hunting chaos with a more emotional turn, as one finalist broke down on stage after a performance that pushed the panel from playful guessing into genuine praise.

By the end of the night, the final lineup was set: Moth, Conkers, and Toastie advanced, while two characters were eliminated and revealed—one a pop group mainstay, the other a familiar face from British television.

Semi-final results: who went through and who unmasked

The semi-final trimmed the remaining five costumes to the final three, with the audience vote sending Moth, Conkers, and Toastie into next week’s title episode.

Two characters were unmasked:

• Can of Worms was revealed as Marvin Humes.

• Sloth was revealed as Ben Fogle.

The reveals reinforced the show’s core formula: a mix of music-industry credibility and unexpected casting that plays against type, especially when a non-singer makes it deep into the competition on charm and commitment.

Moth’s emotional performance becomes the night’s defining moment

The most talked-about segment belonged to Moth, whose performance ended with visible tears under the costume. The panel responded with unusually direct warmth, and the moment landed as a reminder that the show’s appeal isn’t only the guessing game—it’s also the way anonymity can free performers to take bigger emotional swings without worrying about brand management.

Moth’s song choices leaned into storytelling and vulnerability rather than pure showmanship, and the combination of strong vocals and a raw on-stage reaction helped cement her place in the final. In a season where clues and internet theories can feel louder than the singing, it was a rare scene where the performance itself drove the conversation.

How the final three stack up

With three acts left, the finale is set up as a stylistic clash rather than a single obvious favorite.

Moth has the momentum of a “big moment” contestant—someone who can turn a semi-final into a signature clip and arrive in the final with emotional gravity.

Conkers has played the crowd-pleasing lane: upbeat delivery, confident stage presence, and song choices that feel designed to maximize recognition in a live audience setting.

Toastie has stayed in the sweet spot that often wins these shows: consistent performances that avoid major mistakes, plus enough personality to keep the character’s identity guessable but not solved too early.

At this stage, the result often comes down to who peaks at the right time. In a finale, a single performance can reset everything—especially if one act lands a big chorus and leaves the studio humming it on the way out.

The show’s bigger challenge: keeping the format feeling fresh

The semi-final also arrived alongside growing chatter that the format may be due for a shake-up. After several annual cycles, some viewers have started to question whether the rhythm—clues, cover songs, a reveal, repeat—still feels surprising enough.

That doesn’t mean the show is in trouble on its own merits. The Masked Singer remains a reliable “event” for families and casual viewers, and its biggest strength is still flexibility: it can book comedians, athletes, actors, and musicians and make them all fit the same stage.

But the pressure point is novelty. If the final leans too heavily on safe song choices or predictable clue packaging, it risks feeling like comfort TV rather than appointment TV.

What to watch for in the grand final

Finale episodes typically hinge on a few clear variables:

Key takeaways

• The strongest act on the night usually wins, even if they weren’t the season-long leader.

• Song choice matters more than ever: familiarity plus a “moment” beat technical perfection.

• Staging is a tie-breaker when vocals are close—especially for crowd-vote energy.

• The reveal itself can shape perception afterward, but the vote is usually decided before the mask comes off.

With Moth, Conkers, and Toastie left, the finale has a clean narrative: one emotional frontrunner, one crowd-pleaser, and one steady competitor. The only remaining question is who delivers the single performance the studio can’t ignore.

Sources consulted: Radio Times, People, IMDb, TV Guide UK