All about John Lydon as Sex Pistols stars unveiled as Yak on The Masked Singer

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Sex Pistols star John Lydon left people gobsmacked when he was unveiled as Yak on ITV’s The Masked Singer this weekend. Here is all you need to know about the English singer, songwriter, and cultural figure

All you need to know about John Lydon’s life and career

1. John Lydon is an English singer, songwriter, and cultural figure best known for being one of the most influential and controversial voices in punk and post-punk music. He was born on January 31, 1956 in London, England and grew up in a working-class Irish family in North London. As a child, he suffered from spinal meningitis, which temporarily affected his memory and left a lasting impact on his outlook and personality.
2. Lydon rose to fame as the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, adopting the stage name Johnny Rotten. The band became the face of the British punk movement and were known for their raw sound, confrontational attitude, and anti-establishment lyrics. Key Sex Pistol songs include: Anarchy in the U.K. and God Save the Queen. Their only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977), is considered one of the most important albums in rock history. Despite (or because of) the chaos, the Sex Pistols had a short life. Internal conflict, media outrage, and controversy led to their breakup in 1978.
3. After leaving the Sex Pistols, Lydon deliberately moved away from punk clichés and formed Public Image Ltd (PiL). The band explored post-punk, experimental rock, dub, dance, and avant-garde music. Lydon took creative control and rejected the “punk rebel” stereotype. Influential PiL albums include: Public Image: First Issue (1978), Metal Box (1979) and Flowers of Romance (1981). PiL is widely credited with helping shape post-punk and alternative music, influencing countless later artists.
4. From the 1990s onward, Lydon became a frequent media presence, appearing in TV interviews and documentaries. He also famously starred in UK butter commercials, surprising fans who saw him as anti-commercial. Lydon also starred in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2023. In his personal life, Lydon was a vocal advocate for his wife, Nora Forster, during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease until her death in 2023.
5. Lydon made a very surprising appearance on the latest UK series of The Masked Singer on ITV, and it’s been a big talking point on social media. On the January 10, 2026 episode (Series 9), Lydon was revealed as the masked character “Yak” — a colourful costume complete with a glittery purple yak head. He performed songs for the panel and audience, including a cover of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” while disguised. Yak ended up in a sing-off against ‘Monkey Business’ after receiving some of the lowest votes. The judges chose to save the other act, which meant Lydon was eliminated and unmasked.
6. Cricket legend Freddie Flintoff was on the panel that night and was one of the people who correctly guessed Lydon’s identity before the mask came off. After the reveal, Lydon described the experience as “unbelievable” and joked about how heavy and obstructive the costume was — quipping that it “weighed as much as a yak.”
7. Lydon admitted he tried not to sound too recognisably like himself when performing, to keep the judges guessing, laughing that his distinctive voice “apparently worked” at throwing people off. Lydon mentioned that his appearance fee would help fund his work on a new independent album, reflecting the real-world challenges of funding creative projects outside the traditional music industry.

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