The Masked Singer UK's Cricket's identity was finally revealed as they finished third in Saturday's grand final.
After weeks of speculation, it emerged that the talented singer under the mask was none other than 45-year-old Lemar Obika.
The musician, who attended Fame Academy in 2002, has since released albums and also appeared in the Netflix series Bridgerton as Lord Smythe-Smith.
Judges Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan, as well as fans, put together the clues after hearing Lemar's distinctive voice.
After removing his mask to huge cheers from the studio audience, he admitted that his time on the show was even more fun than he could have ever imagined.
The Masked Singer UK's Cricket identity was finally revealed as they finished third in Saturday's grand final
After weeks of speculation, it emerged that the talented singer under the mask was none other than 45-year-old Lemar Obika of Fame Academy
The musician, who attended Fame Academy in 2002, has since released albums and also appeared in the Netflix series Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte as Lord Smythe-Smith (pictured).
Judge Rita previously called Lemar “one of the best” voices she's ever had on the show.
Previously, a notice saw him sitting next to a box of sports equipment that said: “Academy Team Equipment.” Please take a helmet. Don't take two'.
Rita said: “I see the Academy on the packaging and thought 'Fame Academy' and then I saw 'Time to Grow' which is the name of Lemar's double platinum album so I'm pretty sure that's Lemar is.”
Olly Murs, who also appeared as a guest judge on the show, said he recognized the former Fame Academy finalist's voice when he sang at his friend's wedding.
He listened to Cricket perform “Rhythm of the Night” and told viewers that he knew exactly who was behind the green insect.
He said, “I know that voice, he sang at my friend’s wedding!”
He came to national attention in 2002 when he appeared on the BBC's Fame Academy – a British talent competition to find and train new musical talent.
He did not win the show, finishing third, but received a record deal and sold over two million albums.
After removing his mask to huge cheers from the studio audience, he admitted that his time on the show was even more fun than he could have ever imagined (LR) host Joel Dommett and Lemar
Judges Davina McCall, Rita Ora, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan, as well as fans, put together the clues after hearing Lemar's distinctive voice
Judge Rita previously called Lemar “one of the best” voices she's ever had on the show
Lemar – then 24 and already a veteran of the live music scene – was working as a bank clerk at his local NatWest in Tottenham, north London, when he heard about the Fame Academy. He had returned to the cafeteria, where he had left his keys, and the television was on.
He won two Brit and three Mobo Music Awards and released five studio albums, three of which were certified platinum.
His most memorable tracks include the party classic 50/50 and the ballad If There's Any Justice.
In 2008, the popular singer became a father for the first time when his partner Charmaine Powell gave birth to a baby girl named Nyiema Obika. They later had a second child named Uriah Obika.
Lemar released the hits “It's Not That Easy”, “Dance” and “If There's Any Justice” and won three Mobo Awards and three BRIT Awards (pictured at the Fame Academy with Lionel Richie in 2002).