'I didn't want to feel overheated!' Shirley Ballas only wore knickers under Masked Singer costume

Shirley Ballas only wore knickers underneath her 'The Masked Singer' costume, because she didn't want to "overheat" on the show.

The 63-year-old TV star performed on the ITV singing show as Rat, but she was voted off on Saturday night (13.01.24).

Shirley has now revealed some show secrets, including that she donned panties under her costume to feel "closer" to her Rat outfit.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, she said: "They gave me special underwear to go in, of which I took most of it off. I just kept my panties on, because I wanted it closer to my skin. I didn’t want to feel overheated."

The dancer found the costume "quite heavy", but she "got used to it" after some practice.

She said: "I think it’s just like any experience. It’s just about embracing it. Like my mum said, 'You signed up for it, just get on with it.' That’s exactly what I did.

"I designed my own costume as Rat. They offered me all these other outfits and I wanted to go with something that was really down to earth."

Despite leaving the show, Shirley loved her time performing in the costume.

She said: "I enjoyed every minute of it and I am desperately wanting them to give me Rat so I can stuff him and put him in a corner in my house because he’s family for me now. He’s my Rat."

Looking to the future, the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge is hoping to appear on several big TV shows next.

She explained: "I want to do 'SAS: Who Dares [Wins'], ['I’m A Celebrity] … Get Me Out Of Here!'.

"I want a man to scream in my face because I’ve had that all my life. I think that could kind of be fun.

"I like anything that’s jungle-oriented. I like anything that puts Wellington boots on and gets you out there, out on the Moors and things, not the glitz and glamour.

"Even though I have it on 'Strictly', I have had it all my life. I’ve been wearing eyelashes since I was about eight, so I’m up for anything, me."