Samantha Barks breaks silence amid backlash to ITV The Masked Singer victory as West End star issues statement
West End star Samantha Barks has spoken out on social media for the first time since she was crowned winner of The Masked Singer UK 2025.
The 34-year-old Isle of Man native triumphed over Grammy-winning singer Gregory Porter, who finished second as Dressed Crab, after wowing audiences week after week as Pufferfish.
Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow took third place after being unmasked as Wolf.
The final episode saw the three remaining contestants perform their last songs for judges Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and guest panelist Danny Jones, last year’s winner.
Viewer reaction to Barks’ victory was notably mixed on social media, with many admitting they were unfamiliar with the performer despite her high-profile roles and others arguing Porter should’ve taken top spot.
“I haven’t a clue who she is,” wrote one fan on X, while another asked: “Who? Never heard of her.”
Some viewers discovered a new appreciation for the performer amid the backlash, however, with one writing: “What an amazing final – very well deserved #samanthaBarks (I have to admit to not knowing this amazing person until this show). Stunning talent.”
Others already familiar with her work stood up for the singer, however, with one fan praising: “Samantha Barks is an amazing singer her, love her!”
Following her victory, Barks took to Instagram on Sunday morning to share: “The Pufferfish is out the bag!!
“Thank you so much to everyone at the Masked Singer @itv for being so kind and making it such a fabulous experience. I have loved watching everyone playing along and guessing!!
A post shared by πππ¦ππ§ππ‘π πππ«π€π¬ (@samanthabarks)
“What a dream getting to sing with @dannyjonesofficial. Lastly to my dear Pufferfish, being you was SO much fun.” (sic)
Speaking to host Joel Dommett after her win, Barks expressed excitement about breaking away from her usual role.
“For me, because I’ve played Elsa (on the West End) for three years, it’s been so fun to just do lots of different stuff!” she said.
“Every week, I’ve wanted to do a new kind of style, a new kind of song, and that was really fun.”
The performer also revealed she had kept the experience completely secret. “I feel like I’ve lived this double life, I’ve had this crazy experience but nobody in my life knows this! So I love it! It’s so secretive.”
Barks has established herself as a prominent figure in musical theatre, playing Elsa in the West End production of Frozen and starring alongside Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman in the 2012 film adaptation of Les MisΓ©rables.
Runner-up Porter shared his own experience of the competition after being unmasked.
“This is amazing, this is wild. I had to get over a little bit of claustrophobia, you know, who needs oxygen?” he told Dommett.
The Grammy winner added: “This is extraordinary, this is a real moment for me. It’s fun, sometimes I’m singing all those serious songs but this was fun, this was just real fun!”
The series saw several high-profile celebrities unmasked over its eight-week run.
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Olympic icon Mo Farah was first to leave the competition as Giant Joel, followed by Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway as Spag Bol.
Bake Off personalities featured prominently, with Prue Leith revealed as Pegasus and Mel Giedroyc as Teeth.
Other unmaskings included The Corrs’ Andrea Corr as Snail, rapper Example as Bear, and EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy as Bush.
The show faced drama in week three when singer Macy Gray, revealed as Toad in the Hole, briefly stormed off set before returning to reveal her identity.