Keisha Buchanan unmasked as winner of The Masked Singer UK season finale
Keisha Buchanan, founding member of the Sugababes, was revealed as the identity behind the glittering Moth costume and crowned the winner of this series' grand final. The show closed with three unmaskings, a clutch of duets and emotional reactions from the panel and audience as Buchanan took the crown.
Finale reveals: Moth, Toastie and Conkers unveiled
The live finale reduced speculation to three final identities. When Moth removed the mask, the singer-songwriter Keisha Buchanan stepped out to applause and a mixture of surprise and delight from the panel. Two other finalists were unmasked earlier in the episode: Toastie emerged as veteran soul singer and actress Mica Paris, while Conkers was revealed to be television presenter Ben Shephard.
Judges and hosts were visibly taken aback at times — one panellist admitted to being astonished after an incorrect guess — and another panel member reacted with genuine joy at Moth's reveal, saying, "Oh my God, I'm so happy. It's really you. " The emotional tone underlined how the format continues to blend spectacle with sincere moments of recognition.
Buchanan on the experience and the performances
Onstage after her reveal, Buchanan reflected on the experience as a personal milestone. "I have been a fan of the show for many years, " she said. "I really started to embrace Moth! I haven’t done many things by myself, so this was so necessary to bring me out of my shell. " Her final performance of a high-energy pop anthem — a rendition of Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)" — closed the contest and helped secure her the win over the other two finalists.
Throughout the series Buchanan kept her identity tightly guarded, relishing the anonymity and the chance to focus purely on performing. Fellow contestants and earlier unmasked acts praised the challenge of competing in costume; one former contestant returning for a duet described the experience as isolating but creatively liberating, noting the unusual discipline the format demands.
Guest duets and surprise pairings
The final also featured a run of one-off duets that paired each finalist with a returning masked performer. Lionfish joined Moth, Snail performed with Conkers and Pufferfish shared the stage with Toastie. After the duet block, Lionfish removed the mask to reveal singer Will Young, Snail was unmasked as Andrea Corr and Pufferfish was revealed to be Samantha Barks, the series' previous champion.
The duet segment added a celebratory, almost family-like atmosphere to the finale, giving viewers both theatrical showpieces and the payoff of multiple unmaskings. It also underlined the show's capacity to draw on a wide range of performers, from pop stars to television personalities, each bringing a different flavour to the costume conceit.
For Buchanan, the victory marks a high-profile solo moment beyond her group work. Judges and audience members praised her vocal control and stage presence, with several panellists admitting they had been thrown off the scent by the costume and staging. In the end, the combination of mystery and performance proved decisive: Moth flew away with the trophy, leaving the season with one last gasp of glamour and a memorable reveal.
