FOLLOWING the runaway success of The Masked Singer – ITV bosses this week secured the rights to its sister show, The Masked Dancer.
Insiders confirmed the hit American format would be coming to the UK later this year, helping ease the scheduling crisis left by the cancellation of ratings juggernaut Britain’s Got Talent.
The show, which sees disguised stars throwing their best shapes, proved a huge success stateside and will be filmed here this summer.
A source said: “Everyone’s really excited about The Masked Dancer, it’s a huge success in the USA so producers can’t wait to bring it to the UK.
“Like The Masked Singer it is brilliant fun with high production values and everyone is convinced it’ll be a hit this side of the pond.
“ITV struck the deal over the rights to the format at the start of this week and now the producers are compiling a team to start work on it.
“It’s still very early days and casting has yet to properly begin on the show, which they hope can be filmed this summer.
“After Britain’s Got Talent had to be delayed they wanted another big show to fill that gap and The Masked Dancer has it all – stars, music and performances.”
In the US the same panel of judges that sit on The Masked Singer also work on The Masked Dancer.
And while contracts have yet to be signed, insiders hope it will be the same case in the UK.
The insider added: “The judges have worked really well together so the dream would be to have them all back on the panel.
“It’s too early to say at the moment as they have to make sure everyone’s schedules align and seeing as everyone is mega busy, this could be quite difficult.
“They’d also like Joel Dommet to host The Masked Dancer but again those talks are ongoing.”
Since it first came to the UK last year, The Masked Singer has proved a sensation for ITV.
This year’s series, which has so far included stars like Mel B, 45, Glenn Hoddle, 63, and Lenny Henry, 62, is getting a weekly consolidated audience of just over eight-million.
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