It was the Christmas singing special that Carol Vorderman took so seriously that she admits she took voice lessons to prepare for it.
But despite her efforts dressed as a reindeer for the festive version of The Masked Singer, she lost out to television chef Ainsley Harriott – who sang as a partridge in a pear tree.
Ainsley was crowned winner after judges Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan repeatedly tried to guess who he was.
Despite the show being pre-recorded, it was shrouded in so much secrecy that Ainsley, 66, had to practice his singing while out walking his dog.
The star impressed the judges, who were joined by X Factor winner Leona Lewis, with his rendition of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – beating off Carol, 63, who sang Brenda Lee’s Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.
It was the Christmas singing special that Carol Vorderman took so seriously that she admits she took voice lessons to prepare for it
Despite her efforts dressed as a reindeer for the festive version of The Masked Singer, she lost out to television chef Ainsley Harriott (pictured right) – who sang as a partridge in a pear tree (Left host Joel Dommett)
Former Ready Steady Cook star Ainsley told the Mail: ‘It was difficult to keep it a secret, especially when I’m walking around the house or I will take my dog for a walk on the common and sing it’s a Holly Jolly Christmas, it’s the best, and everyone’s kind of looking at me. It’s a bit early for that.
‘I mean, you’re trying to keep it to yourself, but you’ve got to practise somewhere.’
Carol, who says she didn’t even tell her daughter she was taking part, said of her performance that she was ‘very nervous, adding: ‘So the first time I’d ever sung through a microphone in my life was doing Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes, 25 years ago.
‘I was the first one on. And Celebrity Stars in their Eyes was the first ever celebrity version of a normal show. No pressure! That was not good! But I’ve had voice lessons this time, so I felt much more prepared for it.
Ainsley and Carol were up against Blackadder actor Tony Robinson who rapped to a tune he said he had written himself while dressed as a sprout for the show, which was hosted by Joel Dommett.
Meanwhile, comedian Julian Clary who was wearing a Christmas decoration outfit sang Shakin Stevens hit Merry Christmas Everyone.
It was the first time ITV has screened a version of The Masked Singer, which returns for a full series on Saturday (Dec 30).
Despite the show being pre-recorded, it was shrouded in so much secrecy that Ainsley, 66, had to practice his singing while out walking his dog
Carol, who says she didn’t even tell her daughter she was taking part, said she was ‘very nervous’ for her performance on the ITV show
Ainsley and Carol were up against Blackadder actor Tony Robinson who rapped to a tune while dressed as a sprout (left) and comedian Julian Clary who was wearing a Christmas decoration outfit (right)
