The Masked Singer is in full swing with its explosion of lavish costumes and surprising celebs as the new ITV season bursts onto our screens.
As the talented stars take to the stage to hide behind outrageous costumes, a slew of the show’s former contestants have a faced a series of tragedies away from all the glitz and glamour of the singing reality show.
From Mel B’s domestic abuse scandal, the tragic loss of Nicola Roberts' former Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding and scandalous celebrity breakups, these stars have faced tough times throughout their lustrous careers.
Let’s take a look…
Denise Van Outen
After seven years with her long-term partner Eddie Boxshall, the stunning star announced the pair had tragically decided to split earlier this month.
The 47-year-old presenter told her fans on Instagram that she "had to make the difficult decision not to continue in our relationship".
She added: "I will always treasure the good times we spent together, and the memories made.
"We ask that you please respect our privacy at this time, especially for our children."
The pair were well known to fans for starring in Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox.
Filming from the living room of their Essex love nest, the pair's infectious banter and sweet romance had made them seem like a perfect match.
Denise is mum to daughter Betsy, whom she shares with her ex partner and West End star Lee Mead. While Eddie is dad to Jordan, 25, and 22-year-old Leah from a previous relationship.
The bubbly TV star was unmasked as Fox back in 2020 having made it all the way to the semi-finals.
Mel B
The former Spice Girl has spoken openly about being subjected to an alleged decade-long “reign of terror” in an abusive marriage to former husband Stephen Belafonte.
In 2014, Mel B and Belafonte – who share ten-year-old daughter Madison – entered into divorce proceedings.
As part of their settlement agreement all abuse charges were dropped.
Speaking of the horrific ordeal, the Wannabe hitmaker told The Sun: “Because I’m riddled with so many trauma triggers, I couldn’t be hugged or touched for a good year.
“But there is a way out of it. It takes somebody who’s very kind, understanding and patient to help you out of that unwanted cycle you fear going back into.
The 46-year-old Leeds native has recently spoken of the joy of finding love again with a man who is “different to anyone I’ve ever been in a relationship with before”.
While Mel is reluctant to identify the new love of her life, she does describe him as “kind and very, very patient”.
Whoever the mystery man is, he is clearly making her happy.
Gloria Hunniford
Loose Women host Gloria suffered the ultimate heartbreak when her daughter tragically died from breast cancer in 2004.
The 80-year-old recently opened up about the death of her daughter, Caron Keating, who died at the age of 41, saying it was a "privilege" to be with her "at her birth" and at her "death".
She spoke about the loss on the panel, saying: “I knew Caron had cancer, she did, fortunately, live for seven years.
You treasure every single second that you have, whatever the diagnosis or prognosis is, but Caron was so positive about beating it that I, we as a family, had to join her positivity and we had to believe that she was going to beat it."
Caron, who was known for presenting Blue Peter, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997.
Along with her sons, Michael and Paul, Gloria set up The Caron Keating Foundation in her daughter's memory to raise money to offer financial support to professional carers, complimentary healing practitioners, and support groups, as well as individuals and families affected by the disease.
Nicola Roberts
The nation was heartbroken after 39-year-old Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding tragically passed away in September after a battle with breast cancer.
Her former bandmate and close friend Nicola Roberts was left devastated by the loss, admitting her mental health suffered enormously as a result of her tragic death.
Speaking about undergoing therapy session to cope with the loss, the 36-year-old said: “It's about saying this is what is happening to me, it's not my fault, but my happiness matters and I'm going to put my hand up and say I need some help.
“I wouldn't be where I am now without therapy.”
After her death, Nicola shared a series of photos of them together during Girls Aloud’s early years posting on Instagram: “I’m absolutely devastated and I can’t accept that this day has come.”
Roberts described her bandmate as “Electric girl” and added: “You gave it everything and still with a smile.
“A white butterfly flew past my window this morning before I knew, it must have been you.”
Sue Perkins
Former Great British Bake Off star Sue Perkins shocked fans when she announced her split from her Naked Attraction presenter girlfriend Anna Richardson after seven years together.
The 52-year-old and her partner were considered to be one of the strongest couples in showbiz. The split came just months after Anna spoke openly about wanting a child with her long-time girlfriend.
She said last year: “I can only speak for myself, not Sue, but I really want to do the training and welcome a child into my life.”
Anna is best known for fronting Channel 4’s extreme dating show Naked Attraction since 2016. Sue and Anna have not commented on their split.
Martine McCutcheon
Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon revealed back in 2017 that she had suffered multiple miscarriages in her bid to start a family, describing them as “horrific every time.”
Speaking on Loose Women, the now-45-year-old, who is mother to 7-year-old Rafferty with husband Jack McManus, spoke about her struggles to become a mother, saying: “'I didn’t have problems getting pregnant, I had problems keeping them.
“And because of the ME I just wasn’t strong enough, and it was a really good radar for me to know that my body was strong by the time I had Rafferty.”
She also admitted that while she’s not been put off having another child, she will “never truly recover” from the ordeal. “The minute that you have that baby you’re planning its future and what you’re going to do with it and you never sort of truly recover,” she added.
The Masked Singer continues Saturday on ITV and ITV Hub
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