THE Masked Dancer fans reckon Russell Brand is behind the lion character, Pearly King.
The cockney cat made his debut on Saturday night with a mind-boggling introduction packed with potential clues to their celeb identity.
He entered the stage with a troupe of dancers dressed in blue uniforms, a huge eye overlooking the set, two D letters painted on a wall behind him, and other references to East London.
After his performance Joel Dommett used his “clue detector” to find another clue on the lion, who teased: “I’m famous my mane”.
One viewer came up with a plausible theory after remembering former Big Brother presenter Russell Brand was once in The Bill.
Cast your mind all the way back to 1994 and the comedian, who has long and unruly hair, appeared in the cop drama as an accused teenager.
In 1994, the comedian appeared in the police show as Billy Case, a teenager accused of assault.
Jumping on the brief reference on Saturday night, Twitter user Beccy said: “Pearly King could possibly be @rustyrockets He was in The Bill (feet walking at the beginning), mustache, Big Brother Eye on the set, ‘mane’-famous for his hair.”
Another shared: “Could Pearly King be Russell Brand? 
”
However, some fans were split over whether it was Danny Dyer in the costume or Shane Richie.
One wrote on Twitter: “Pearly King is 1000% Danny Dyer SURELYYY.”
Many – including celeb detective Oti Mabuse – were agreed that whoever it is isn’t a professional dancer.
One branded the moves “awful” while another wrote: “Hardly call that dancing. Just wildly gesticulating.”
Another had different feeling entirely, with one viewer tweeting: “Someone please tell me why i’m kinda attracted to pearly king.”
The bonkers guessing game returned to ITV on Saturday night with Pig revealed at the end of the show after Astronaut was the first celeb to be unmasked last weekend.
