Davina McCall and Rita Ora were both reunited with celebrity pals on The Masked Singer

The Masked Singer judging panel had a reunion with some old friends on the new series as both Davina McCall and Rita Ora had people they know take part.

The ITV singing competition is back for a third series with Davina, Rita, Mo Gilligan and Jonathan Ross returning to the judging chairs while Joel Dommett is back as host.

Speaking to MailOnline, Davina and Joel revealed someone Rita knows 'quite personally' was among the contestants while Davina found it 'weird' to see someone she knew, but neither of them correctly guessed their friends identities.

Reunited: The Masked Singer judging panel had a reunion with some old friends on the new series as both Davina McCall and Rita Ora had people they know take part

Davina said: 'What might be a massive name for Mo might not be a massive name for me and vice versa. 

'There's a big name for me, there's a big name for Mo. He couldn't believe it. There was someone I know, that was quite weird.'

Joel added: 'Someone Rita knows quite personally.'   

When asked if she guessed her friend, Joel replied: 'No, absolutely not, it was a huge shock. It was brilliant.'

Interview: Speaking to MailOnline, Davina and host Joel Dommett revealed someone Rita knows 'quite personally' was among the contestants while Davina found it 'weird' to see someone she knew, but neither of them correctly guessed their friends identities

Back in action; Rita is returning to the judging panel after she didn't take part in the first series of The Masked Dancer, where she was replaced with Oti Mabuse

Davina said she managed to guess one contestant on this year's series correctly, with Joel adding: 'Everyone including myself, thought it was the other person.'

Rita is returning to the judging panel after she didn't take part in the first series of The Masked Dancer, where she was replaced with Oti Mabuse. 

The singer filmed the last series of The Masked Singer in September 2020 before she had to apologise for breaking Covid rules after throwing a birthday party in and jetting to Egypt.

A source close to Rita claimed the snub had nothing to do with the rule break and was a scheduling issue, telling MailOnline: 'It's common knowledge that she's in Australia and will be filming The Voice for the next few months.' 

Speaking about the popularity of the show, Davina reckons it comes down to its appeal across age groups. 

Hit: Speaking about the popularity of the show, Davina reckons it comes down to its appeal across age groups

She said: 'I've noticed that you've got five-year-olds and eighty-five-year-olds and they're all having a blast. 

'Even if you've no idea who they are, you can keep on with the guessing game.'

Joel added: 'I don't think there's been a show that appeals to such a wide demographic before.'

'Everyone one of us, it appeals to different people. ITV have to appeal to a wide range of people. That's the beauty of the bookings.'

The Masked Singer premieres on ITV on January 1.  

Joel added: 'I don't think there's been a show that appeals to such a wide demographic before.' 'Everyone one of us, it appeals to different people'