Spoiler alert!
On Wednesday’s season 9 opener of “The Masked Singer,” Dick Van Dyke demonstrated that age is irrelevant by leaving everyone speechless.
Nicole Scherzinger was in tears when the 97-year-old Hollywood veteran was revealed as the “Gnome” in what was billed as the show’s “greatest reveal ever.”
The Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner sang Frank Sinatra’s smash “When You’re Smiling.”
Nick Cannon, 42, proclaimed as the renowned actor revealed his identity, “This is the most seasoned and decorated guest we’ve ever had on our show.”
“It was quite dark inside….
Van Dyke informed the audience, “I couldn’t see anything.”
Scherzinger could not contain her admiration for the performer as he stood on stage.
“I adore you, we adore you, and the entire world adores you.” “It’s a privilege to have you on our show,” the Pussycat Dolls member stated. “I can’t believe you’re here; I’m attempting to maintain my composure. You look so stunning, you look so handsome.”
Jenny McCarthy, age 50, exclaimed that she was “blown away” by the revelation.
The 53-year-old panelist Ken Jeong informed the Hollywood veteran that he motivated him to attempt comedy.
Scherzinger joined in, “You’re our childhood,” with Jeong adding, “Our greatest reveal ever.”
The audience was in for a special treat when Van Dyke sang “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from his 1964 classic “Mary Poppins” starring Julie Andrews.
Following his appearance on the hit show, Van Dyke told Entertainment Weekly, “I was so confident that nobody would ever guess it was me, a 97-year-old man, out there.
“It is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever done. But they did not cover my face. They required me to do a Pumpkinhead-sized task.”
It was an unusual experience. I have two small peepholes that allow me to see the audience. “Fortunately, I’m not claustrophobic,” he added.
»Dick Van Dyke on “The Masked Singer” at 97: ‘Weirdest thing I’ve done’«