FORMER England and Colchester United footballer Teddy Sheringham has been revealed as a hidden performer in The Masked Singer.

Sheringham, 53, was singing dressed up as a tree, complete with toadstools, in the new show.

He exited the series after losing in a sing-off with Octopus, whose real identity remains a mystery.

After his unmasking, Sheringham, who ended his playing career at the U’s in the 2007-8 season, said he had “sleepless nights trying to remember” the lyrics to songs before performing on stage.

During his time on the show he showcased a new vocal talent as he belted out Will Young’s 2002 hit Evergreen and Lovely Day by Bill Withers.

“Me and my wife, we were trying to remember it together,” he said.

“I thought my best shot was a little bit better than what I performed.”

Revealing why he signed up for the ITV show, he said: “I’ve been asked to do everything over the years, but always declined.

“I saw the show in the States and thought I’d love to do that for my kids.”

Gazette:

None of the celebrity judges had guessed his identity and instead opted for other footballing names such as Peter Crouch, David Seaman and Jamie Redknapp.

They also guessed former goalie Peter Shilton who lives on Mersea Island.

Rita Ora said that for a footballer, Sheringham had a “great voice”.

The footballer turned manager said the panel - Ora as well as Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Ken Jeong - were “really complimentary considering I can’t sing!”

He added: “I didn’t expect to win, I just wanted to enjoy the experience.”

The judges praised Sheringham describing him as a “legend” and telling him his kids would be proud of his performances.

The show sees celebrities and public figures compete dressed in elaborate outfits which conceal their identity.

As each celebrity sings, the panel, along with the studio audience, are left guessing who’s behind the mask as the celebrity singers try to throw them off the scent.

U’s fan Si Collinson said he was surprised to see Sheringham appear on a TV show singing.

He said: “You see the players singing in front of the squad and stuff like that but think that is as far as their abilities with music go.

“It is more like karaoke.

“To decide to go on prime time TV you have to be extremely brave, extremely confident or stupid.

“But fair play to him. I knew he could play football but I had no idea he could sing.

“He has done a bit of reality TV but we haven’t heard much from him in the last couple of years.

“It seems a surprising place for him to pop up as he doesn’t do commentary of anything like that.

“He is probably the last person you would expect.

“If you look back now at the clues he gave during the show you could probably put two and two together.”

Last week, Justin Hawkins from The Darkness was unmasked as the Chameleon.

He failed to impress the panel of judges and progress through to the next round.

Sheringham is the fourth name to be revealed and exit the show, after former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Patsy Palmer were also unmasked.

The Masked Singer continues next Saturday at 7pm on ITV.