John Lydon Unmasked as Yak on The Masked Singer

January 12, 2026 rocknews

The unthinkable happened on The Masked Singer UK Season 7 on Saturday January 10, 2026: punk rock icon John Lydon (better known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and frontman of Public Image Ltd) was unmasked as Yak after performing Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 hit “Physical” in a glittery, horned costume.

The 69-year-old legend delivered a surprisingly energetic and theatrical rendition before facing elimination in a sing-off, leaving judges, studio audience and viewers in stunned silence followed by wild applause when the mask came off. Panel reactions ranged from Davina McCall’s “No way!” to Rita Ora’s “This is the best day of my life!” – a moment already being called one of the show’s most iconic unmaskings.

Lydon, who previously competed on the US version as Jester in Season 6 (2021), explained his return to the format in an appearance on This Morning (ITV, January 11, 2026): “I wanted to show my absolute fun-star side… I deliberately tried not to give the game away too early with my voice or mannerisms. It’s all about having a laugh and surprising people.”

He described the experience as liberating and absurd in the best way: “It’s ridiculous, it’s silly, but that’s the point. Life’s too short not to embrace the madness once in a while.”

The appearance arrives as Lydon continues work on new Public Image Ltd material. His official social channels posted post-reveal: “John’s got the sad sack yak off his back and now he’s off to record the new PiL album!”

Why Did Johnny Rotten Do The Masked Singer ?

Lydon has long balanced his anarchic persona with unexpected mainstream moves – from butter adverts to reality TV. On The Masked Singer, he saw a chance to subvert expectations once more:

Show a playful, humorous side rarely seen in interviews
Connect with younger audiences unfamiliar with his punk legacy
Have fun without the usual “Rotten” baggage

He told This Morning: “I love a challenge… and this was certainly one. No one expects the bloke who wrote ‘Anarchy in the UK’ to be prancing around as a yak singing Olivia Newton-John. That’s why it’s brilliant.”

The Performance: “Physical” as Yak

Lydon’s take on “Physical” was surprisingly faithful yet infused with his signature snarl and theatricality – complete with exaggerated dance moves that had the panel guessing wildly (most guessed everyone from Boy George to Mick Hucknall). The costume’s horns and fur amplified the absurdity, turning a 1980s pop classic into a surreal punk spectacle.

Watch key moments from the episode (clips circulating on YouTube/ITV Hub):

Viewer & Social Media Reactions

Social media exploded immediately after the reveal:

“Johnny Rotten just did The Masked Singer as a yak and I’m here for every second of it” (viral tweet, 12K+ likes)
“From Never Mind the Bollocks to glittery yak horns – 2026 is already peak”
“The Sex Pistols frontman singing Olivia Newton-John is the timeline merger we didn’t know we needed”
Some fans joked: “Anarchy in the UK → Anarchy in the Yak”

Critics and punk historians noted the full-circle irony: the man who once raged against the establishment now embracing one of TV’s most mainstream, family-friendly formats – and doing it with zero irony.

FAQ: John Lydon on The Masked Singer UK Season 7

When was John Lydon unmasked as Yak?

January 10, 2026 – Episode of The Masked Singer UK Season 7.

What song did Yak (John Lydon) perform?

Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” – before elimination in sing-off.

Has Lydon done The Masked Singer before?

Yes – US version Season 6 (2021) as Jester.

Why did Johnny Rotten join The Masked Singer?

To show his “fun-star” side, surprise people, embrace absurdity and have a laugh.

Is there new PiL music coming?

Yes – Lydon confirmed he’s back in the studio for a new Public Image Ltd album post-show.

Johnny Rotten as a glittery yak is 2026’s most gloriously chaotic moment yet. Watch the unmasking, stream his performance clips – and tell us: best Masked Singer reveal ever? Drop your thoughts below!