Mo Gilligan is to replace Ken Jeong on ‘The Masked Singer’.
The 32-year-old comedian has joined the UK version of the talent show as a new judge, with ‘The Hangover’ star Ken ruled out of a return to the programme this year due to coronavirus pandemic-related travel restrictions.
Ken – who is still expected to judge on the US version of ‘The Masked Singer’ – joked: "I had so much fun on season one of ‘The Masked Singer UK’, I told the team nothing short of a global pandemic would stop me from coming back for season two.
"I am gutted because I truly love working with Joel, Rita, Davina, Jonathan and everyone at Bandicoot and ITV.
"I hope, when things start to normalise, I can return and offer my expertise on all things British, like the Australian Open. Please take care, be safe, and as the title of the show suggests, wear a mask."
Mo will team up with panellists Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross on the show – which is hosted by Joel Dommett – and he is "really proud" to be joining the judging line-up.
He said: "It’s a real privilege to be joining ‘The Masked Singer’ team.
"It’s one of the funniest shows out there and I’m really proud to play my small part to help bring a little bit of joy to the nation."
This comes after it was revealed the show’s second series is to be filmed in front of a studio audience.
Filming for the ITV talent show’s new season is to get underway at Bovingdon Studios, near Hemel Hempstead, south east England, next month over the course of eight nights, beginning on September 14th.
But the show’s ticket handler SRO Audiences has warned fans they must adhere to coronavirus guidance before attending, and if they break the rules they will be "removed from the filming location or refused entry".