Viewers of ITV's The Masked Singer took to social media this evening to voice their bewilderment after the programme broadcast a Halloween-themed episode in the middle of January.
Saturday night's instalment, dubbed "The Masked Singer Spooktacular," left audiences scratching their heads given that the spooky holiday took place nearly three months ago on October 31.
Presenter Joel Dommett kicked off proceedings dressed in an outfit inspired by Wednesday Addams, setting the tone for what would prove to be a thoroughly Halloween-focused show.
The unexpected seasonal theme prompted an immediate wave of confusion online, with fans questioning why the programme had opted for such peculiar timing.
ITV The Masked Singer aired a Halloween theme in January
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The episode featured guest panellist Ben Shephard alongside the regular judging lineup.
The judging panel fully embraced the spooky theme with their costume choices throughout the broadcast.
Jonathan Ross, 65, transformed himself into Frankenstein complete with green face paint, matching latex gloves and a silver suit.
Mo Gilligan, 37, channelled Teen Wolf for the occasion, sporting a bomber jacket, checkered shirt and converse trainers.
ITV The Masked Singer: Fans were confused by the Halloween theme
|ITV
Maya Jama made a striking impression in a low-cut black gown, whilst Davina McCall opted for a see-through catsuit.
Guest judge Ben Shephard arrived dressed as the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz, completing the elaborate Halloween aesthetic.
The commitment to the theme across the entire panel only served to heighten viewer confusion about why such an episode was being broadcast in January rather than during the autumn.
Reactions flooded X as viewers struggled to comprehend the scheduling decision.
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ITV The Masked Singer: Fans took to X to express their bewilderment
|ITV
"I do not understand having a Halloween theme in JANUARY," wrote one perplexed fan, whilst another asked: "Why is there a Halloween themed Episode??"
One viewer directly addressed the broadcaster, posting: "DEAR @ITV Why is #TheMaskedSinger #Halloween special on in JANUARY?!!"
Another commented: "That awkward bit where your show airs from January to February but you really really want to do a Halloween theme."
Several fans suggested the spooky special should have been produced as a standalone programme rather than incorporated into the regular series run.
"This should have been done separately from the rest of the series and done as a proper themed special if they were going to do this," one viewer argued.
The Halloween episode comes just one week after viewers witnessed one of the series' most surprising unmaskings when John Lydon was revealed to be behind the Yak costume.
The former Sex Pistols frontman was eliminated from the competition after performing Olivia Newton-John's 1980s track Physical, having failed to secure sufficient votes from the judges.
His appearance on the programme left audiences stunned, with many taking to social media to express their disbelief.
"The fact that the lead singer of the Sex Pistols has just been on TV dressed as a yak is pretty mind blowing and what makes The Masked Singer so good," one viewer remarked.
Another simply wrote: "Who'd a thought. John Lydon on The Masked Singer."