Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

James Arthur responds to Masked Singer's Rhino claims and points to rival star

James Arthur has denied being Masked Singer's Rhino after fans were certain the former X Factor winner was the mystery gravelly-voiced star.

The suggestions came after the sultry singer performed a rousing rendition of Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

Host Joel Dommett then added fuel to the fire as he dropped a huge clue by saying this was the first Masked Singer voice he recognised, saying that he is a 'huge fan'.

Taking to Twitter joining the speculation, one fan wrote: “Think Rhino is the big signing this year," as several others agreed, with one suggesting: "Rhino has got to be James Arthur? Sounds just like him!"

However, James has denied the rumours, tweeting: "For all those theorising, I am not the Rhino on #MaskedSingerUK it's probably Lewis Capaldi."

But fans still think it's him. One said: "That's something Rhino would say."

James Arthur has denied being Masked Singer's Rhino (Getty Images for BAUER)
Fans are convinced the X Factor singer is behind the mask (ITV)

While another mused: "Take it as a compliment fella, that was one hell of a vocal."

An unmasking may have proved awkward for James as he would have come face to face with ex girlfriend Rita Ora.

The singer previously said he 'regretted' his fling with the singer-turned-TV talent show judge and said he was 'bitter' when she dumped him.

James suggested Rhino was Lewis Capaldi (JamesArthur23/Twitter)

James wasn't the only talented pop star fans thought was behind the mask.

Others thought Rhino could be Busted sensation, Charlie Simpson, 37.

The singer, who left the boy band to start group Fightstar, was a popular choice with viewers, with one tweeting: "I’ve never been so sure about a #maskedsinger guess. Rhino is Charlie Simpson."

James Arthur denied he was starring on the ITV show alongside ex Rita Ora (ITV)

Rhino went up against Piece of Cake in last night's show, who was revealed to be Scottish sensation Lulu.

As the studio audience and judging panel chanted ‘Take it off, Take it off’, the Eurovision pint-sized star was unveiled and explained the meaning behind her clues.

"The well was a huge clue!" she teased, before belting out: "Well, you make me wanna shout!"

Now in its fourth series, the stars signing up to the bonkers ITV show will do whatever it takes to avoid being unmasked.

Judges Jonathan, Mo Gilligan, Rita Ora and Davina McCall have got their work cut out as they try to identify the characters, which in this series include a rubbish bin, an otter and a jacket potato.

Speaking about new show, Mo said: “There’s an identity to be revealed on the show which I was so shocked by. You could have been running the show for two years and still no one would’ve got it.

“But the clues are so obvious once you see who it is. I think that’s the one that’s going to be quite fun for the public to try and guess. But the clues this year are so hard. Much harder than ever before.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan mused: “The weird thing is, once you’ve got the idea in your head for someone and they kind of fit, it’s really hard to snap away from that and think about other people. You keep going back to your strongest guess.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.