CLASSICAL singer Charlotte Church - who lives in Powys - has been revealed as 'Mushroom' in ITV's popular Masked Singer series.

The 35-year-old lost out to Panda in the final studio audience vote and claimed second place.

She said it was hard to keep the secret - even being forced to lie to her mum as the weeks went on.

The popular TV show sees celebrities perform in various costumes to conceal their identities while a guest panel has to guess who they are. The studio audience votes for their favourite with the person with the fewest votes being revealed each week.

Charlotte - who is aiming to transform the former home of Laura Ashley, Rhydoldog House near Rhayader, into a wellbeing and health retreat - had fooled the judges with her Lancashire accent which she used to disguise her Welsh roots.

She told the show: "You were all saying such wonderful things and it really touched my heart. So thank you so much I really appreciate it.

"I've honestly, absolutely, loved being Mushroom. It's been an absolute ball."

She later took to Twitter to say: "I absolutely loved being your Mushroom, what a joy to be a part of something so focused on singing, which I love!

"Congrats to the darling Panda and everyone else who took part!"

Many people had guessed that Church was hiding beneath the Mushroom mask, but many more said she was robbed of the series win by Panda, who was revealed to be Natalie Imbruglia.