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05
May 2024
Harrogate man, 80, through to the final of Channel 4's The Piano
A Harrogate man has won a place in the grand final of Channel 4’s The Piano.
Eighty-year-old Duncan captured the hearts of viewers with an incredible love story and won episode 1 of series 2, securing him a spot in the final.
The show sees gifted amateur pianists perform at a street piano in a different railway station each week. It is hosted by Claudia Winkleman and judged by international pop star Mika and Lang Lang, a musician described by the Guardian as “the greatest living pianist”.
The critically acclaimed first series won Best Original Programme at the Broadcast Awards and the second series began on Sunday, April 28.
Duncan first began playing the piano aged four. At a young age he found that he could play the piano by ear and has practised for 76 years.
On the show, Duncan played A Theme for Fran, a romantic song he wrote 30 years ago for his wife. Duncan and Fran first met in 1964 and have been married for 42 years.
Duncan and Fran from Harrogate shared their love story with The Piano's audience. Image: Channel 4
The pair were both born in Leeds but have lived in the district for many years, first in Birstwith and now in Harrogate. Duncan qualified as a solicitor and played the piano regularly at Betty’s in Harrogate until the covid pandemic.
He was scouted for the second series of Channel 4’s The Piano when a video of him playing was shared to social media.
Duncan has had Alzheimer's disease for six years, but was only diagnosed with it two years ago, and now uses his musical talent as as a form of medicine.
Duncan and Fran attend a dementia hub in Burton Leonard run by Dementia Forward. The couple play and sing with community groups such as St Peter's Church market days and at Harrogate's Christ Church, where each Thursday a pianist with dementia plays. Duncan performs there monthly, and it was a video of this that the producers saw.
The first episode showcased the talented pianists of the North when a piano was installed in Manchester Piccadilly station. The judges said Duncan’s performance was “beautiful" and it sounded "like a piece from another time, very romantic.”
The judges and host of 'The Piano,' left to right: Lang Lang, Claudia Winkleman and Mika. Image: Channel 4
Mika said:
In an exclusive interview with the Stray Ferret, Fran said:
Duncan playing 'A Theme for Fran' at Manchester Piccadilly Station. Image Channel 4
She added:
Duncan added:
Duncan will play in the series finale at Aviva studios, where tickets have been sold to raise funds to install pianos in every railway station in the country. He added that he is available and would love to play in more fundraising events.
The moment Duncan won the episode and secured a spot in the grand finale. Image: Channel 4
To watch Duncan's performance on The Piano, click here. The next episode of The Piano will air tonight (May 5) at 9pm.
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