‘It’s been a joy’ – Sir Lenny Henry revealed to be The Blob on The Masked Singer

The Dudley-born star, 62, admitted that he took part in the ITV show because there had been not much else to do in recent months.

“I’ve been in lockdown since March!” he said, when asked why he signed up.

“They said: ‘Can you do this?’ I said, ‘Yes, OK! I’ll come!'”

And he added: “It’s been a joy to be here. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

When host Joel Dommett quipped about Sir Lenny’s journey “from Shakespeare to Blob”, the star replied: “It’s a huge career arc!”

Davina McCall had correctly guessed Sir Lenny was behind the outlandish costume, while other guesses from the panel included Stephen Fry and Morgan Freeman.

Sir Lenny said he wanted to “have fun incognito” and it was “very hard” not to tell friends.

“I’ve had so many emails since the show began, from the most unlikely people asking if I’m Blob. It’s been hilarious,” the actor and comedian said.

And he added of his costume: “It’s hot in here you know…  I was like (Health Secretary) Matt Hancock at a briefing. I was sweating.”

Sir Lenny said of leaving the show: “I was sad, I’d had a blast.”

Prime-time programme The Masked Singer, which sees 12 mysterious celebrities dressed up in a range of costumes and performing under an alias to four judges, singer Rita Ora, television presenter Jonathan Ross, television presenter Davina McCall and comedian Mo Gilligan, is approaching the finale of its second series.

Before each performer takes to the stage, ‘clue packages’ show the masked individuals in various locations, speaking about themselves to offer clues as to their real identities.

A classroom location featured in The Blob’s clue packages suggested the character was connected to teaching – a reference to Sir Lenny’s position as Chancellor of Birmingham City University.

Since taking up the post in July 2016, Sir Lenny has overseen a number of major initiatives and projects at the university, including officiating over graduation ceremonies, opening a £1.2 million education hub for young people in North Birmingham with IntoUniversity, and launching The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, with the aim of examining representation across the industry including journalism, acting, film, TV and radio in both front-of-house and behind the scenes roles.

Other clues around the identity of the character have included Sir Lenny’s ‘distinctive voice’, musical clues, a reference to wearing glasses and clown red noses – a connection back to Comic Relief, of which Sir Lenny was a co-founder.

Saturday's double eviction also saw A-ha singer Morten Harket revealed to be Viking.

Harket said afterwards: “I did it because I needed to be kicked out of my comfort zone and I have been. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

The Masked Singer airs on Saturdays at 7pm on ITV.