Viewers of The Masked Singer 2023 final were left shocked as the identity of winner Rhino was finally revealed.
Saturday (February 18) evening’s finale of the ITV series saw runners up Fawn and Phoenix unmasked as Natalie Appleton and Ricky Wilson respectively.
And while judges Davina McCall and Rita Ora correctly predicted who was in the Rhino costume, fans who had tipped the mystery singer to be a former X Factor star were left incredulous.
Masked Singer 2023: Rhino revealed
Charlie Simpson of Busted fame was unveiled was Rhino – and crowned the 2023 celebrity winner – as he admitted he found the experience “surreal” and ‘terrifying’.
He said: “I was terrified the entire time. The thing I was scared most of was remembering lyrics. I often forget lyrics to my own songs on stage!”
However, during his performances over the weeks the 2023 series has aired, another name has also trended on social media as viewers tried to guess who was performing as Rhino.
And following Charlie’s reveal, that singer – who won X Factor in 2012 – took to Twitter to beg to be ‘left alone’.
James Arthur on Twitter
Starting his tweet with a clapping emoji to applaud Charlie, James Arthur came off as relieved the speculation would now cease.
“@CharlieSimpson I’d know that voice anywhere,” James wrote.
“One of the best out there. #MaskedSinger now everyone [bleep] off and leave me alone.”
A few hours later, James added: “”
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