THE Masked Singer star Natalie Imbruglia has hits back at claims that the show is a "fix" after being crowned this year's winner.
The Australian star, 47 – famed for hits including Torn and Wrong Impression – beat off competition from Charlotte Church as Mushroom and Mark Feehily who was unmasked at Robobunny.
Natalie, who impressed the panellist and the audience at home, said that she can understands why some fans were upset that their favourite didn't win – but has adamantly denied that the show is a fix.
Speaking to The Sun, Natalie said: "I think it's lovely that fans are so behind the characters that they get so upset if their character doesn't win.
"Clearly the show is not fixed."
She continued: "I think the show is about fun and it's meant to be lighthearted and all I can say from my point of view being in costume, is that all of us is so loving and friendly to each other – not that we knew who each other was.
"Turns out Firework is my friend Jamie Winstone, I also know Pat Cash.
"So these are all people that we are elbow bumping in costume and clapping each other.
"So the experience from our side is so warm. Mushroom and I were hugging all the time before we went on stage and I was like I really hope that's Charlotte Church because she's amazing.
"That's the only one that I did guess, I had no clue about the others."
Despite being in the final three, the 90s popstar admitted that she's not competitive and "didn't want to win".
"I didn't want to win at all, I was like I'm not going to get to the second show," Natalie said.
"I don't remember the first two performances because I was so nervous.
"I was terrified, in fact I did stumble the words if you look closely.
"I was really nervous and didn't expect to get that far. I just thought it would be a bit of fun.
"Even till the very end, I was saying 'I'm not going to win'."
It comes after viewers at home weren't convinced by her win because many felt she wasn't the strongest singer and took to Twitter to complain.
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One person wrote: "Panda was absolutely amazing but not the best. Fix! #TheMaskedSinger #TheMaskedSingerUK."
A second tweeted: "Absolute fix #TheMaskedSinger"
While a third added: "How anybody in that audience thinks Panda is a better singer than Robbobunny or Mushroom is beyond me? Mushroom absolutely robbed. Has to be a fix. #MaskedSingerUK."
And a fourth raged: "Well that’s me changing the channel now! Absolute boll**ks that panda won against robo bunny and mushroom, your audience needs looking at!!! Clearly a fix! What a waste of an evening !! #MaskedSingerUK."
Grande finale
Fans had already suspected it was Natalie behind the mask after it was revealed she would be appearing on the Graham Norton Show next week.
Speaking after her win, the one-time Neighbours star said: "I just loved being Panda. When I put the costume on I would just become Panda.
"I stayed in an American accent the whole time so if I sound weird that's because I have been flipping.
"I just had so much fun. I made friends with a traffic cone and a mushroom. This is an amazing show and I am thrilled to have been a part of it."
Westlife singer Mark 41, was the first to be unmasked as Robobunny and came in third place – leaving fans furious who felt he had been robbed.
"Being hidden inside the costume gave me a chance to forget about what I look like for the first time in my career," he said.
Then Welsh classical singer Charlotte was revealed in The Masked Singer final following an impressive performance of Flower Duet from Leo Delibes' opera, Lakme.
Saturday's show saw Panda deliver a sassy performance of Blank Space by Taylor Swift, while Robobunny impressed with an impassioned and dramatic rendition of Run by Snow Patrol.
Three former contestants from previous series – Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts as Queen Bee, comedian Jason Manford as Hedgehog and JLS member Aston Merrygold as Robin – also returned to duet with the finalists ahead of the first elimination.
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