Rita Ora hints at the REAL reason she left The Masked Singer as she is replaced by Love Island's Maya Jama on the judging panel

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By JORDAN BECK FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 21:07 GMT, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 21:31 GMT, 23 December 2024

Rita Ora has hinted that she left The Masked Singer to make new music.

The pop star, 34, stepped down from the judging panel of the ITV game show and was replaced by Love Island host Maya Jama.

She had appeared alongside  Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan since the competition series started in 2020.

But now, whilst plugging a haircare product, Rita has revealed that next year will be taking her back to her roots as she prepares to head go into the studio. 

She wrote on Instagram: 'What’s your 2025 plan? 

'Mines @typebea and music and being apart of the coolest films and spending time with family and friends and making the most of every moment. You?' 

Rita Ora has hinted that she left The Masked Singer to make new music, which is apparently coming next year

Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, host Joel Dommett, Maya and Jonathan Ross will all be appearing in the next series of the hit game show 

Rita's latest album, titled You & I, was released in 2023 and she had a number of stand-ins for her on The Masked Singer while she was away.  

The hit reality show sees celebrities don extravagant costumes to conceal their identity while belting out classic pop tunes.

If the juddges do not manage to correctly guess a particular contestant, they will be declared the winner.

Earlier this year, McFly star Danny Jones reigned supreme, prior to his more recent triumph on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Upon joining, Maya said: 'I'm such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo—and of course working with Joel—is going to be so much fun!

'I can't wait to figure out who's underneath all those incredible costumes, vibe to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings.'

Maya has been the host of Love Island since 2023, and her third series aired this summer.

Joel Dommett willing be returning as the host of the hit show, which first appeared on screens in 2020 and sees celebrities sing in disguise before the guessing begins.

Since then it has reached a staggering 37 million viewers who have tuned in to guess who is hiding behind the mask.

Maya has replaced Rita who has stepped down from the show

The Love Island host, 30, who will also still be hosting the All Stars version of the reality dating show, has snapped up the exciting judging gig

Earlier this year, McFly star Danny Jones reigned supreme, prior to his more recent triumph on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! 

 This year's cast follow in the footsteps of an array of superstars including Dionne Warwick, NeYo, Richie Sambora, Michael Owen, Daisy May Cooper, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sue Perkins, Glenn Hoddle, Pat Cash, Lorraine Kelly, Jason Manford, Jake Shears, Sir Lenny Henry, Joss Stone and more.

Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning, ITV said, 'The Masked Singer is back and promises to kick off 2025 with a bang. 

'TV's favourite guessing game welcomes the sensational Maya Jama who will be joining our expert detectives, Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan all alongside Joel Dommett. We can't wait.'

Daniel Nettleton and Derek McLean, Co-Founders of Bandicoot TV said, 'When we decided to add a bombshell to the panel, we knew we need not look any further than Maya. 

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