One of Bolton's favourite sons has won The Masked Singer's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (IAC) special crossover episode. 

Vernon Kay has been crowned the winner after being unmasked as Koala.

The two ITV programmes team up to mark the return of IAC to Australia after two years in Wales due to travel restrictions amid the pandemic.

The TV presenter, 48, secured the title after delivering two lively performances and beating three other former IAC campmates.

Wearing a pink tutu and supported by a troupe of dancers dressed as gold stars, Kay sang Could It Be Magic by Take That for his first song.

For his second performance, he gave a powerful version of If I Can Dream by Elvis Presley.

None of the judges correctly guessed it was Kay, with Mo Gilligan thinking it could have been TV presenter Nick Knowles and Rita Ora guessing it might have been TV personality Jake Quickenden.

Before the big reveal, Kay bounded on to stage still clad in his koala costume to give host Joel Dommett, who appeared on IAC in 2016, a hug.

Once unmasked, he said: "As soon as you put the costume on it's like being given a licence to do absolutely anything."

He added: "I've had the best time ever.

"What's weird is, being in the costume all day I've lost more weight in this than I did in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. I lost two-and-half stone there, I think I've lost five stone in this today."

He also confirmed that his wife, fellow TV personality Tess Daly, and their children had no idea that we was appearing on the show, and were watching along live.

Kay’s performances beat singer Sinitta, who came second after being unmasked as Kangaroo.

Ora was the only one to previously guess it could be Sinitta but she did not lock it in as her final answer

The Bolton News: Vernon Kay on IACVernon Kay on IAC (Image: PA)

Earlier in the episode, it was revealed Cockroach was tenor Russell Watson.

Davina McCall correctly guessed it was the singer as she thought his gladiator-themed outfit was a reference to his battle with a brain tumour.

Alison Hammond was also revealed to be Witchetty Grub after she removed IAC’s recognisable bubble helmet as part of her costume.

None of the judges guessed Hammond was behind the mask, with Jonathan Ross feeling it might be Katie Price and Ora guessing it was Carol Vorderman.

The crossover special opened with the four former campmates performing Down Under by Men At Work together.