‘I created Johnny Rotten’s Masked Singer Yak costume – we thought we’d get kickback’

‘I created Johnny Rotten’s Masked Singer Yak costume – we thought we’d get kickback’ Emily Bashforth and Sabrina Barr Published January 12, 2026 5:30pm Updated January 12, 2026 5:30pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments John Lydon’s Masked Singer costume actually caused him physical pain (Picture: ITV)

The thing we love most about The Masked Singer (besides all the outlandish guesses) is the elaborate costumes – and this series has been no exception.

From a Can of Worms with faces in its hands to a Sloth wearing leg warmers, The Masked Singer is fully committed to getting bigger, better, and more bonkers each year.

Last weekend saw host Joel Dommett unmask Yak, revealing that John Lydon, aka punk rocker Johnny Rotten, had been underneath the entire time.

Speaking after his shocking unmasking, the Sex Pistols vocalist, 69, admitted that while the experience itself had been ‘unbelievable’, he joked that his costume likely ‘weighs as much’ as an actual yak.

And ahead of John’s Masked Singer debut, the team actually feared whichever celebrity ended up inside Yak’s suit would give some ‘kickback’ to the crazy nature of it.

Thankfully, Public Image Ltd’s John had no reservations about being draped in vibrant streamers and purple sequins or sporting the animal’s massive horns.

The Sex Pistols rocker disguised his voice to perform as Yak (Picture: Valerio Berdini/Shutterstock)

Speaking exclusively to Metro, costume designer Tim Simpson, also the creative director of Plunge Creations, said: ‘We thought we might get some kickback with Yak, because it is so full-on.

‘We took the care. And actually, the celebs are so into it.’

He added that all the performers they’ve encountered have ‘really enjoyed’ the transformation process, having become so familiar with the show now to know they must leave their dignity at the door.

‘These performers are really up for it. They’ve seen it enough times to realise that, and probably the word has gone out in the grapevine that if you’re going to get involved in The Masked Singer, then you’re gonna have to really strap in and get fit.

‘So the word’s gone out, and by the time they arrive on set, or by the time we get to the costumes to them, I think they’re already quite into it.’

Tim went on to validate John’s suspicions that his costume was, indeed, weighty.

The costume team anticipated ‘kickback’ from whichever celeb ended up dressing as Yak (Picture: ITV) Thankfully, John was up for anything (Picture: ITV)

Offering some insight into the intricacies, he explained: ‘I think it is the heaviest because it’s got a whole structure underneath it mounted off the performer’s shoulders, and then there’s a whole harness on the front with this gimbal.

‘We tried to make it as light as possible.’

In fact, Tim tries the costumes on himself to ensure they’re just right before a possible soap star, musician, reality personality, or TV presenter steps into them.

‘I put it on and thought, “Hey, that’s really nice and light,” because I’m used to putting a lot of costumes on, but I think for performers that are not used to wearing big, heavy costumes and that aren’t puppeteers, I think it’s quite an added weight to sort of dump on them and then send them out onto a stage and ask them to sing.’

Indeed, seasoned performer John himself has confessed that he even struggled to sing while dressed as Yak.

Appearing on This Morning today, he said: ‘You cannot sing in an outfit like that; it’s so hot and heavy.’

The punk musician declared he’s ‘up for a laugh’ after his brief stint on the bonkers show (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

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It even caused physical strain, resulting in him ‘putting out’ his shoulder and his back.

Asked why he took part in the show, he was frank: ‘Fun, firstly. But mostly the money. Money has now paid for us to go and record in Portugal for a solid month and a nice little holiday afterwards.’

He’s also well aware that ‘serious musicians’ might turn their noses up at him or mock his Masked Singer stint – but he’s far from bothered.

‘I know things like this are viewed negatively by what they call “serious musicians”,’ he told Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley.

‘Well, eff the lot of them, I’m up for a laugh. Whole families can watch, that’s great fun, isn’t it?’

John’s identity was rumbled by Jonathan Ross and guest panellist Freddie Flintoff, whom the singer already knew very well and attempted to disguise his voice from.

The Masked Singer continues to get bigger and better each series with its elaborate costumes (Picture: ITV) Comment now Whose costume is your favourite on this year’s Masked Singer?Comment Now

‘That was a huge problem, knowing Jonathan Ross and Flintoff. All that rehearsing went straight out of the window.’

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His mask was then removed after a performance of Olivia Newton-John’s pop track Physical, making him the third unveiled celebrity of the series.

Last weekend’s launch show saw The One Show broadcaster Alex Scott unmasked as Disc Jockey, before rapper Professor Green was discovered to be Tea Bag.

Now remaining in the competition are Arctic Fox, Can of Worms, Conkers, Gargoyle, Monkey Business, Moth, Red Panda, Sloth, and Toastie, with the nation still bewildered by who could be belting out the tunes underneath.

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The Masked Singer continues on Saturday on ITV1 and ITVX.

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