The Masked Dancer has been axed after just two series.

The  ITV1 programme saw celebrities such as Doctor Who star Bonnie Langford and former Glee actress Heather Morris conceal their identities in elaborate costumes whilst a panel of judges tried to guess who they were.

Joel Dommett acted as host for the series, and Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall,  Oti Mabuse and Jonathan Ross made up the panel but an insider has now claimed that the show failed to live up to the success of The Masked Singer because it was aired at the same time as BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing. 

A source told The Sun: 'ITV thought it was worth taking a punt on a concept which had clearly struck a chord with the public as The Masked Singer.

'But they made the mistake of shifting it from a show that ran every night over a week, to a weekly show that aired on a Saturday night.

'That saw it go out on the same evening as Strictly Come Dancing, which is a very challenging rival.'  

The series premiered in May 2021 and returned for a second outing  in September of the following year, but did not come back to screens in 2023.

At the time, it was claimed that the broadcaster had decided to 'rest' the format in order to make room for coverage of the Rugby World Cup.

A show insider said: 'Fans will be gutted, but The Masked Dancer is being rested for 2023.

'Instead, ITV are showing the Rugby World Cup over the autumn,' they continued.

At the time, the insider added that it could just be a hiatus, and had made 'plans' for further specials. 

The source added: 'ITV have plans for other specials like The Masked Singer I'm A Celeb show.'  

Appearing on screens last year, the 2022 series of the show featured stars such as Kimberley Walsh, Steph McGovern and Jesse Metcalfe.

But ultimately, the winner was Glee star Heather Morris, who was performing under character Scissors. 

After winning the show, Heather - who has been married to Taylor Hubbell since 2015 and has Elijah, 10, and Owen, seven, with him - went on to add that it was her children who inspired her to take part in the show in the first place because they are all 'huge fans' of the ITV franchise. 

Following her victory, she gushed: 'I have had the best time. 

'This has made my heart so full. I feel like a little kid again dancing on stage. '

My kids at home, I have two boys at home and we are huge 'Masked' fans.