BAFTA-winning choirmaster Gareth Malone has become the latest celebrity to be eliminated from The Masked Dancer after being revealed as the Cactus.

Following a vote the judging panel - Jonathan Ross, Oti Mabuse, Davina McCall and Peter Crouch - decided it was time for Cactus to give up the disguise during Saturday's show.

And after a 'dance jam' against Pearly King, Cactus was unmasked and revealed to be Gareth.

The television musician, hidden behind the prickly green suit complete with a pink and yellow flame-print unitard and cape, the big reveal on Saturday night in front of the judges.

The panel were not sure if it was a McFly or Busted band member - but didn't put their finger on it being Gareth before he was revealed from the Cactus mask.

Reflecting on his experience, Gareth said: 'I have had so much fun. The last time I danced I was 7 and I danced with a broom in the school play. I mean, I danced, I danced.'

Judge Davina asked: 'How hard was it being taught, after you being the teacher

'It's awful, isn't it?' Gareth replied. 'I've put so many people through that, and you go, don't worry, just go out and sing in front of 4,000 people, you'll be fine... It's awful.

'I'm never doing it again. I was sick with nerves. I'm so out of my comfort zone. I don't know how to dance, I don't have that thing.'

Gareth later said he decided to take on the challenge because he had never danced before other than in the kitchen, night clubs or in his childhood.

'Lots of people have actually tweeted before about whether or not it was me in one of the costumes or The Masked Singer but never on The Masked Dancer,' he revealed.

Comparing the two shows, he said the Masked Dancer appealed to him more than singing: 'I think this is more joyous, more joyful, more silly and more fun and what we need at the moment.'

Keeping it a secret from his family was tricky he said: 'It was an absolute nightmare, I had to lie to everyone, had to lie to my parents, I had to lie to my children, I had to lie to everyone I work with, it was really difficult and I didn't enjoy it at all.

'It was really hard getting in the car and being clandestine about it and everything, and just so much of a relief when I took the mask off at the end. It was like, 'Great, finally I can just be myself again!'

'It was sad [to leave the competition] because I really love the team behind the stage. I was really sad you know not to go further but I was relieved to think, 'Ok I don't have to learn 6 more dances' but I definitely felt like I left at the right point as obviously there are much better dancers than me.'

Next week's show will see the remaining eight celebrities perform together for the first time, before three celebrities are unmasked and sent home. 

The Masked Dancer continues on Saturday at 6:30pm on ITV.