Legendary England striker Michael Owen says competing on 'The Masked Singer’ was more nerve-racking than taking a penalty for England.
Michael Owen admits Masked Singer performances made him so nervous
The retired football player - who scored 40 goals for his country - left the ITV talent competition on Saturday night (29.01.22) after being unmasked as Doughnuts.
Owen insists he felt a lot more calm taking a penalty kick in the shootout versus Argentina in the 1998 France World Cup than he did showing off his limited vocal abilities to the nation.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "You can put one billion people in front of me on a football pitch, I would be absolutely fine.
“But yourself in an arena where you just know that you’re absolutely awful at something and then go out and do it, you just feel like lambs to the slaughter, I was so nervous.
“Taking a penalty in the World Cup can literally make or break your career. If you miss a penalty for England, you will forever be tarnished with that brush.
“However, when you go up there and do something you just simply know you cannot do in front of a live audience … you just literally go numb."
Owen, 42, left 'The Masked Singer' - which originated in South Korea and features various celebrities singing whilst disguised in elaborate costumes - in a double eviction along with actress Jaime Winstone, who was revealed to be Firework.
Jaime - whose dad is acclaimed British actor Ray Winstone - admits she agreed to go on the show to impress her five-year-old son Raymond.
She said: "I usually take on roles that are very gritty and serious, so for me this was a great way to show people what I can do, what I love doing and to make my son very happy. He’s going to think his mummy is a firework. This was my main reason.”
Jaime's friend and judge Rita Ora actually correctly guessed it was her behind the mask at one point, before talking herself out of it.
The 'After Hours' actress said: "Rita actually guessed me once but convinced herself that I would never do this show.”
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