Season 9 of The Masked Singer kicked off with the type of surprise usually reserved for a season (or series) finale, as the singing Gnome’s identity was revealed.
On Wednesday evening, the Season 9 premiere of FOX’s The Masked Singer left the audience stunned with excitement and at least one judge in tears once his identity was revealed during the show.
The masked singer–in full gnome garb–was eliminated on Wednesday night, and as the audience cheered, “Take it off! Take it off,” no one could have guessed that underneath the giant elfish-looking mask, a legend’s legend was lurking. Slowly and methodically, the mask was removed to reveal none other than the famed Dick Van Dyke.
The legendary 97-year-old Mary Poppins cast alum, fully disguised as a garden gnome, performed “When You’re Smiling” by the late Frank Sinatra before revealing his true identity. Dyke thrilled audience members, but no one was more excited to see Disney’s famous chimney sweep than panelist Nicole Scherzinger, who was reduced to tears following the removal of his giant mask.
The Masked Singer show host, Nick Cannon, also found himself starstruck, saying, “This is the most seasoned and most decorated we’ve had on our show, ladies and gentlemen.”
The almost-centenarian Dick Van Dyke has long been beloved by his fans. As a comedian and actor, he’s known for his humor and charm, for his “comedic timing,” and for his physical comedy as well. The played the role of Bert the Chimney Sweep alongside Julie Andrews in Disney’s Mary Poppins (1964) and is also known for his work in Bye Bye Birdie, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Van Dyke and Company.
