ITV have sparked a backlash among The Masked Singer Fans after replacing Rita Ora with Maya Jama.

The hit family entertainment show is due to return to screens in 2025 but filming for the new season is underway. The show originally had a line-up of judges consisting of singer Rita, 33, along with talk show host Jonathan Ross, 63, presenter Davina McCall, 56, and South Korean-American stand-up comedian and actor Ken Jeong.

Ken bowed out of the show in 2020 and was replaced by comedian Mo Gilligan, 36 – and this year it was revealed Rita was exiting the show after five seasons. On Wednesday it was announced that Love Island host Maya, 30, is replacing Rita – but this has sparked a backlash with some fans.

The bombshell host is respected by many for her presenting skills, but there are many fans who fear a musician would have made a better replacement for I Will Never Let You Down singer Rita. Fans taking to social media have slammed ITV’s decision to strip the panel line up of the one music star they had.

Replacing Rita Ora with Maya Jama on The Masked Singer has provoked fury ( 
Image:
ITV/Instagram)

Rita has teased a tour and new album

One outraged Masked Singer fan wrote on Reddit: “I still don’t think this was the right choice, but what you gonna do. Should have been a singer or someone with musical experience.” Another agreed, writing: “So on a singing show, there isn’t a single judge that’s a singer?”

However, others argued the show is pure entertainment, rather than a singing contest. One defensive fan hit back at the criticism to write: “Everyone stressing… this isn’t a singing competition!!!! It’s about guessing who the person singing is – RELAX.”

Maya herself has explained how thrilled she is to be joining the series – which will continue to be hosted by hunky presenter Joel Dommett. Maya gushed to Radio Times: “I’m such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo — and of course working with Joel — is going to be so much fun!”

She added: “I can’t wait to figure out who’s underneath all those incredible costumes, vibe to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings,” she added. “I’ve watched the show for a long time, so I’m definitely bringing my A-game to the panel!”

While Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning at ITV said: “The Masked Singer is back and promises to kick off 2025 with a bang. TV’s favourite guessing game welcomes the sensational Maya Jama who will be joining our expert detectives, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan all alongside Joel Dommett. We can’t wait.”

Earlier this year, Rita revealed she is working on a new album and planning an album. She told The Sun in July: “I’m definitely touring with this new record that I’m going to put out next year. I wanted to change it up. All the festivals I’ve been doing this summer have been so much fun. Getting to perform live is my favourite part. I hate the studio. I love seeing the crowd and I really connect with the energy. The tour is the only reason I put music out.”