There’s one particular part of Bear’s costume on The Masked Singer UK that fans might have been wondering about. But never fear – because Metro has the answer behind the design after speaking to the costume designer on the show. There are currently seven singers left on the ITV singing competition ahead of tonight’s episode – Bear, Bush, Dressed Crab, Kingfisher, Pufferfish, Snail and Wolf.

Ever since Bear first performed on the programme – singing You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two from the musical Oliver!, viewers have been speculating over which celebrity it could be behind the mask. Guesses have ranged from acting legend Sir Patrick Stewart to chef Gordon Ramsay, with plenty of people picking up on the thespian references as a possible indication of a connection to acting. Bear boasts a very ornate costume, complete with pumpkin-shaped trouser bottoms and a fancy ruffle on adorning his neck.

To top it all off, what about that fuzzy little goatee on his chin?. As it turns out, the reference to William Shakespeare – who also had very recognisable facial hair – was no accident. ‘I don’t know how Bear ended up with a strange-looking goatee,’ admitted costume designer Tim Simpson, creative director at Plunge Creations, before he gave a bit more background on the little beard. ‘The idea of it being Shakespeare was the original pun, I think, that was conceived by Caitlin,’ he recalled, referencing costume designer Caitlyn Daisy Shaw, who also works with Plunge Creations.

‘She wanted to do a little Shakespeare, and so we ended up with a tiny little Shakespeare goatee beard. That’s our silly little joke, and it makes Bear look ever so slightly bananas.’. While speaking to Tim, we noted the fact that quite a few of this year’s costumes look like they could have stepped out of a masquerade ball in a period drama, including Snail with their large skirt, Wolf with his layered jackets and Macy Gray’s Toad in the Hole with her suave top hat.

However, there wasn’t any intention for any of the costumes on the series to appear as though they were linked in any way. ‘No there isn’t [a link]. I would go as far as to say there never is. Occasionally we’ve had two costumes on stage together, in which case, they’re definitely linked. But no, there isn’t,’ Tim stressed. ‘The idea is to have a mix across the board. There aren’t any sort of linked themes. But again, it’s one for the production team to think about.’.

While guesses surrounding Bear’s identity originally ventured to people like Sir Patrick or Sir Ian McKellen, recent predictions have brought up musicians such as rapper Example, after the character also performed the songs Miami by Will Smith, Stay by Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi, and Tender by Blur. ‘Can imagine him really pulling off a Will Smith rap though. Definitely think it’s him. My other option is one of Rizzle Kicks,’ Ok-Shirt8224 speculated on Reddit.

‘Bear is 100% Example!!!!’ a fan called Shannon tweeted on X, while Mandy remarked: ‘Who else on here thinks The Bear on #themaskedsingeruk is @example? It has to be, it totally sounds like him!!!’. As usual, The Masked Singer UK might end up pulling a huge surprise out of the bag when the mask finally comes off. What I Own: I quit London at 48 and bought my first home in Sussex for £325,000. Londoners are flocking to this ‘bustling’ neighbourhood 10 miles from the centre.

What I Own: I bought my £820,000 Nine Elms flat through a little-known saving scheme. If you live at this house number, your property could be 'cursed'. We moved into a beautiful floating lakehouse and only pay £2,210 a year in 'rent'. The Masked Singer UK airs on Saturday nights at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Got a story?. If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.