The Masked Singer UK's Rat turns out to be a judge on a major talent show, leaving their close friends on the musical series' panel baffled as they cannot correctly guess the star's identity

The Masked Singer UK's Rat was revealed as Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas during Saturday's episode of the singing competition.

Panellist Mo Gilligan believed it could have been Coronation Street actress and West End star Claire Sweeney, while Davina McCall believed it was Killing Eve star Jodie Comer.

Olly Murs wrongly suspected former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona and Jonathan Ross, who is close friends with Shirley, speculated it was Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker.

Speaking about the panel's guesses, Shirley told host Joel Dommett: 'I was actually very flattered because I don't sing at all and some of the people you said were like, wow!

'It was one of the best times of my life. It was way out of my comfort zone and I absolutely loved it.”

After the show, Shirley said: “I actually thought the panel's guesses were quite spectacular. They compared me to all kinds of actors and singers, but never got any clue!'

Referring to panelist Jonathan Ross, Shirley continued: “I was very surprised by Jonathan. I mean, Jonathan is a friend of mine.”

Shirley said after the show: 'I actually thought the panel's guesses were quite spectacular. They compared me to all kinds of actors and singers, but never got any clue!'

Referring to panelist Jonathan Ross, Shirley continued: “I was very surprised by Jonathan. I mean, Jonathan is a friend of mine. I've been to his shows and we talked about Kilimanjaro, some of those clues he should have known but didn't get!

'They were so wrong, they called me some great singers and actors! I'll take that!'

Dance champion Shirley had given several clues about her real identity during her time on the series.

She noted that she had “crossed the path of danger” after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief in 2019, while the costume's tattoos were a nod to the body art she had done on her bum.

She said: 'I have tattoos all over my bum and then I tattooed my boyfriend's name on it – I'm not sure if that was a good idea. Bruno [Tonioli] I always had to show them to him!'

Shirley then gave her first unmasked performance of Nelly the Elephant before leaving the stage for the final time.

The TV star was pitted against Dippy Egg in a sing-off and the mystery celebrity reached the next stage of the show, where they will compete against Owl, Air Fryer, Bubble Tea, Eiffel Tower, Piranha, Maypole, Cricket and Bigfoot stay in the competition.

Dancing champion Shirley had given several clues to her real identity during her time on the series, but left panellists, including close friend Jonathan Ross (pictured), stunned

Panellist Davina McCall was stunned when Shirley was revealed as Rat on The Masked Singer UK this weekend

The Masked Singer UK this weekend featured panelists (L-R) Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, host Joel Dommett, guest panelist Olly Murs and regular panelist Jonathan Ross

Host Joel Dommett stepped up as leader and has admitted that keeping the panelists in check while running the show is one of his biggest challenges (Joel pictured during Saturday's episode as a strongman before changing costumes)

Shirley's departure comes after Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong was unmasked as Chicken Caesar in week two, while singer Dionne Warwick was unmasked as Weather in the first episode of the new series.

In this week's episode, the panelists dressed up in circus-themed outfits for a special episode of the show.

Davina McCall, 56, looked fit in a leopard print mini dress as she dressed as a weightlifter, while her fellow panelist Jonathan Ross, 63, will don a red, white and blue human cannonball outfit.

Guest panelist Olly Murs, 39, who replaced Rita Ora, acted as a mime, while program presenter Joel Dommett, 38, played the circus leader.

And Joel admitted his costume reflected his real-life role on the show, with the presenter insisting that keeping the panellists in check is one of his biggest challenges.

He explained: 'I feel like a ringmaster trying to confuse the panel. They really go off on wild tangents and in my head I'm thinking, “I know none of this is in the edit.”

'Forget the ringmaster, I feel like I'm a shepherd. I wish I had a shepherd's crook and I could just grab Mo by the neck, pull him back and say, “Okay, come on!”

“It's crazy because I try to control them a little bit. While also, and it's something you don't really see on television, you have these people in these costumes and oftentimes they can't see where they are.

Alexander Armstrong admitted he loved appearing 'dressed as a dick' on prime time television last week while appearing on The Masked Singer UK (pictured)

It comes after Dionne Warwick became the first character to be unmasked during the series' first week (pictured last month)

'They have no spatial awareness at all. One character didn't even know if they were looking at the front, the side or the back. They had no idea.

“So I try to talk to the panel, try to get them to behave, but at the same time try to lead a person in costume to the center of the stage, and often they walk back to the front of the stage and I have to get them back and making sure they're in the picture and things like that.

“I spin a lot of plates.”

The Masked Singer airs on Saturdays at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX and STV.