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Justin Hawkins unveiled as Chameleon on 'The Masked Singer'

Chameleon's identity remains a mystery. (ITV/Bandicoot TV)
Chameleon's identity remains a mystery. (ITV/Bandicoot TV)

Justin Hawkins joked that he had to turn into James Bond to keep his secret as he was unveiled as Chameleon on The Masked Singer.

The Darkness rocker, 44, was unmasked on Saturday night’s show after losing out to Duck in a tense sing-off.

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He lifted off his glowing mask to excited chants of “Take it off” from the crowd.

Judges Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora, Davina McCall and Ken Jeong gasped as the musician was unveiled.

Ora, who had clearly been quite taken with Chameleon, blushed as she saw who was under his scales.

“I think you are amazing,” gushed the singer.

Hawkins admitted it had been tough keeping his identity under wraps while he was on the ITV show, which sees stars singing while disguised in elaborate costumes.

“Keeping secrets is challenging, especially when you effectively disappear for the duration of the filming,” he said.

Justin David Hawkins of the band Darkness performs during the Hell and Heaven music festival in Mexico City, Friday, May 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Oswaldo Ramirez)
Justin David Hawkins of the band Darkness performs during the Hell and Heaven music festival in Mexico City, Friday, May 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Oswaldo Ramirez)

“I used a combination of bluffery, bare faced lies and vague muttering to explain my absences.

“I’m basically James Bond.”

The star, who wowed the panel with a touching performance of True Colours, said he signed up for the offbeat programme because he wanted to do something “slightly surreal”.

Read more: Who are The Masked Singer celebrities?

“The secrecy made it very exciting,” he said.

“Like having an extra-musical affair.

“I was reluctant to commit to the recordings because I was supposed to be best man at a wedding in Australia, but it was too good to turn down. Ha ha!”

He joked that he would like to wear his costume again for his “day job”.

“As I think Davina pointed out; that Lycra stuff is quite apt for me,” Hawkins said.

“Also, job interviews and maybe a wedding.”

A total of 12 celebrities started out in the ITV competition, with EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer and former Home Secretary Alan Johnson the first two to be unmasked.

As well as Duck, Saturday night’s show saw Queen Bee, Unicorn and Hedgehog perform, with all four going forwards in the competition.