Celebrities turn Anonymous for ITV

ITV is to launch a new prank series in which celebrities take time out from fame to play tricks on their fans and famous friends by donning cunning disguises in a one-off special hosted by former CITV presenter Stephen Mulhern.

Titled Anonymous, the show features three celebrities who will take part in the wind-ups, and as well as performing an elaborate prank on one of their celebrity friends, the stars – wearing prosthetic disguises – will also carry out gags on unsuspecting members of the public in their new ‘characters’.

A sporting legend transforms into a well to do theatre luvvie to stitch up his England team mate; a soap star goes on set of the drama she works on disguised as an Essex WAG to fool her cast mates; and a music mogul and talent show judge ages 20 years to fool his music acts. In what seems to be a mixture of Noel’s House Party ‘Gotcha Oscars’ and Beadles About Stephen Mulhern will take the celebs through the transformation process and help them create their new identity, he will also guide them through the mischievous pranks every step of the way with the help of an earpiece and a microphone.

John Kaye Cooper, controller of entertainment for ITV, said: “It’s fascinating to see how some of our best known celebrities are rendered unrecognisable by their disguises and just how they are treated when they are anonymous.

“Fame counts for nothing if nobody knows who you are and this show provides great comedy moments and an insight into the lives of some of TV’s most famous faces.”