ITV The Masked Singer's Rhino revealed as Busted's Charlie Simpson crowned winner

The Masked Singer’s elusive rhino has been revealed as Busted’s Charlie Simpson, as he was crowned the winner on Saturday’s finale.

The singer, 37, who rose to fame with the pop punk band which produced hits including Year 3000 and Crashed The Wedding, performed in disguise as Rhino throughout the ITV series.

Rhino was the first to perform solo on Saturday, delivering a rendition of Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi while dressed as a cowboy.

The Busted star admitted he did not expect to win the show and just tried to “remember the lyrics and have fun”.

Asked how he found the experience, he said: “I was terrified the entire time because the thing I was scared most of was remembering lyrics. I often forget lyrics to my own songs.”

He added that his last song of the show, Try by P!nk, was the only time he did not really think about the lyrics and he just tried to enjoy himself.

👑🏆 UNMASKED AT LAST! 🌟❤️ THE CHAMPION OF THE MASKED SINGER 2023!! ✨Let's give some love to #Rhino!!! 🦏 🎭#MaskedSingerUK pic.twitter.com/Nx1W6SJ5nO
— #MaskedSingerUK (@MaskedSingerUK) February 18, 2023

Judge Rita Ora said Rhino had her “favourite voice in the whole wide world” before guessing it could be Busted’s Charlie Simpson behind the mask, with Davina McCall in agreement.

Guest judge Lee Mack opted for US rapper Eminem, while Mo Gilligan thought it could be singer James Blunt due to a reference to the army – Jonathan Ross guessed singer James Arthur.

Former contestant Harlequin, who was previously revealed as singer-songwriter Gabrielle, also returned to sing Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth alongside Rhino and she also guessed it could be Arthur.

Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson was revealed as Phoenix, and placed second, followed by All Saints’ singer Natalie Appleton.

Wilson confirmed he had enjoyed his time on the show, saying: “It gets quite infectious. You really want to win it.”

He also said he was “very pleased” to be mistaken for actor David Tennant by McCall.

For his first performance, he sang Sway by Michael Buble accompanied by dancers in white suits and bird masks while he donned bright red and orange feathers.

Presenter Denise van Outen then returned as Fox to perform Elton John and Kiki Dee’s Don’t Go Breaking My Heart with Phoenix.

Appleton was the first celebrity to be unmasked during the final and McCall admitted she had all the judges “flummoxed” about her true identity.

While Ross said: “We don’t get to hear your voice like that that often, where you’re singing those ballads. What an amazing act.”

Following her reveal, Appleton said: “I loved fooling you guys, it was such a buzz” and that she had enjoyed Gilligan mistaking her for Country star Shania Twain.

She added: “I had the best time, it’s been amazing. I do recommend.”

Fawn performed twice throughout the finale, firstly with an elegant performance of Hopelessly Devoted from 1978’s Grease dressed in a polka-dotted outfit with a matching bow.

Welsh singer Aled Jones also reprised his Traffic Cone costume to duet with Fawn on When She Loved Me by Sarah McLachlan for Toy Story 2, who thought former Spice Girl Emma Bunton could be the secret star.