Actor and TV host Darren McMullen is the voice behind the prawn on The Masked Singer
Actor and TV presenter Darren McMullen has apologised to family and friends for keeping secrets after he was revealed as the man behind the prawn costume on hit Channel 10 show, The Masked Singer, and hasn’t ruled out a career on Broadway.
Confidential
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Actor and TV presenter Darren McMullen has apologised to family and friends for keeping secrets.
The 37-year-old was tonight revealed as the man behind the prawn costume on hit Channel 10 show, The Masked Singer.
The former host of The Voice, who is currently playing the character of Findlay Knock in Nine’s SeaChange, also suggested a career on Broadway could be his next move.
“It has been really tough (keeping the secret), especially with family and friends,” McMullen told Confidential.
“They all knew I was back working on something but the fact that I wouldn’t tell them what annoyed the hell out of them. Hopefully they’ll understand why I couldn’t say anything now and they will start talking to me again.”
McMullen is the fifth celebrity outed on the reality show, following the departures of former Big Brother host Gretel Killeen, rugby and rugby league great Wendell Sailor, performer Nikki Webster and cricketer Brett Lee.
He signed up to the show after watching the US version.
“The prawn has the swagger and confidence that I wish I had,” he said. “He’s my alter ego, my Tyler Durden (Fight Club).”
None of the judges — Dannii Minogue, Jackie O, Dave Hughes and Lindsay Lohan — picked McMullen as the voice behind the mask.
Their guesses included Redfoo, Red Symons, Kris Smith and Karl Stefanovic while guest judge Luke McGregor picked Ronan Keating.
“My whole life I’ve wanted to sing and be on stage,” McMullen said after taking off his mask. “If I could do that somehow with a mask and hidden behind this prawn … that would be a good opportunity.”
The Masked Singer has been a surprise hit for Ten, attracting more than one million viewers each episode.
The format originated in South Korea, where it was called King of Mask Singer, with the series to feature 12 celebrities singing in head to toe costumes with their faces concealed.
PRAWN CLUES:
Being the prawn has given me the freedom to really let go on stage. And I love it.”
I might not be the most experienced singer in the competition … but I am certainly here to make waves”
■ As a prawn … I am not from around here. So your local customs are quite foreign to me”
■ I have a reputation as a joker … who turns his other cheek. But I am taking the masked singer seriously”.
■ All you can judge me on is my voice. And tonight my music is gonna be big”.
■ I enjoy being in the public eye, here, in the UK and America.
■ I’m a bit of a lairy lad.
■ The big stage is where I feel most comfortable.
■ Some people would say my choice of hobby is unusual.
■ My skin wasn’t made for the hot Australian sun.
■ Do I think I can win The Masked Singer? I’ve been in an arena like this before, so I know what it takes to be crowned the winner.
■ It’s no surprise to find me at the big occasions.
■ I’ve famously spent a lot of time around the house” (he was shown vacuuming).
■ I sometimes feel like an outsider.
■ Entering a competition like this is a change in direction for my career. You might not know it, but we prawns enjoy a change of sea-nery.
■ I like most types of music which has come in very handy in the past.
■ I’m in this competition for the long haul. I know it’s going to take more than time to win.
■ I am a fanatic for sports and I have the perfect platform to sing their praises.