Masked Singer judge Nicole Scherzinger in tears after ‘greatest reveal ever’

Celebrity judge Nicole Scherzinger — of Pussycat Dolls fame — was in tears after witnessing the “most decorated” performer in Masked Singer history.

Nicole Scherzinger was in tears after the mask came off. Picture: Fox Media

Spoiler alert!

Dick Van Dyke proved that age is just a number as he left everyone speechless during the season 9 premiere of The Masked Singer in the US on Wednesday.

The 97-year-old Hollywood legend was unmasked as the “Gnome” in what was described as the show’s “greatest reveal ever” as judge Nicole Scherzinger was in tears.

The Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner performed the hit track When You’re Smiling by Frank Sinatra.

“This is the most seasoned and most decorated we’ve had on our show, ladies and gentlemen,” said host Nick Cannon, 42, as the iconic actor revealed his identity.

“It was really dark in there. … I couldn’t see anything,” Van Dyke told the audience.

Dick Van Dyke appears on the season premiere of The Masked Singer. Picture: Fox Media

Scherzinger couldn’t help but gush over the performer as he stood on stage.

“I love you so much, we love you, the whole world loves you so much. It’s an honour to have you on our show,” the Pussycat Dolls star said. “I can’t believe you’re here, I’m trying to play it cool. You look so gorgeous, you look so handsome.”

Fellow panellist Jenny McCarthy, 50, said she was “so blown away” by the reveal.

Panellist Ken Jeong, 53, told the Hollywood veteran that he inspired him to try his hand at comedy.

“You’re our childhood,” Scherzinger chimed in, with Jeong adding, “Our greatest reveal ever”.

The audience was then in for a real treat when Van Dyke performed a rendition of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” — the hit song from his 1964 Mary Poppins film starring Julie Andrews.

Actors Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in a scene from Mary Poppins'.

Following his appearance on the hit show, Van Dyke told Entertainment Weekly, “I was so positive that nobody would ever guess it was me, that they would have somebody 97 years old on there.

“I would say it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever done. But they didn’t put a mask on me. They made a great big like Pumpkinhead thing that I had to do.”

“It was a weird experience. I had two little peepholes I can see the audience with. It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic,” he added.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission