Keisha Buchanan revealed as Moth and crowned winner of The Masked Singer UK 2026
The Masked Singer UK final crowned Moth as this year's champion on 14 February 2026 (ET), when the elaborate insect costume was unmasked to reveal Keisha Buchanan, one of the original members of the Sugababes. The live finale left judges and the studio audience surprised and delighted after a sequence of standout performances and several unexpected returns to the stage.
Moth’s run: powerful vocals and a few deliberate red herrings
Over the course of the series, Moth delivered a string of commanding vocal performances that helped carry the character to the final. When the mask finally came off, Keisha Buchanan stood revealed, explaining that she had even tried to throw the panel off by adopting a posh accent at times. Panellist Maya Jama had been insistent that the singer was a Sugababes alum from early on, and her confidence paid off when the identity was confirmed.
Buchanan reflected on the challenge of some of her chosen songs, naming two particularly daunting picks. She admitted the Whitney Houston number felt emotionally intense because of her admiration for the late singer, while an Aerosmith track pushed her out of her comfort zone and into a more theatrical, risk-taking place vocally. The variety of material — from classic pop soul to rock-inflected choices — showcased a versatility that ultimately won over the audience and the panel.
Finalists unmasked: Ben Shephard and Mica Paris complete the podium
Conkers finished in second place and was revealed to be television presenter Ben Shephard. Viewers learned that Shephard had signed up to take on more daring projects after turning 50, embracing the mystery and adrenaline of the show. His time on the programme included keeping his identity hidden even while interviewing eliminated contestants on daytime TV, which added an extra layer to his disguise.
Toastie rounded out the top three and unmasked as singer, actress and presenter Mica Paris. Paris impressed the judges with consistently strong vocal performances and described her participation as a chance to be playful for the sake of her grandchildren — an opportunity to show them she could let loose and have fun in an unexpected way.
The final featured a mix of solo numbers, duets and surprise stage returns, with the panel and studio audience weighing up vocal clues, costume hints and staged misdirections. Some panellists put forward guesses ranging across pop stars and presenters, but the truth behind the elaborate masks offered the evening’s biggest thrills.
Panel reaction and the show's enduring appeal
Panellists brought energy and humour to the final, with moments of shock and jubilation as identities were revealed. One judge expressed astonishment at a misguess, while Maya Jama celebrated having backed Keisha Buchanan from the start. The programme’s format — combining mystery, spectacle and musical performance — continues to attract high-profile participants willing to push themselves creatively under a cloak of anonymity.
With Moth crowned champion for 2026, the series once again demonstrated its appetite for surprising line-ups and bold song choices, leaving viewers and contestants alike talking about the reveals long after the final curtain. The win adds a new chapter to Keisha Buchanan’s career, showcasing her voice to a fresh audience in a context that blended nostalgia with contemporary entertainment theatre.
