Channel 4 The Piano fans in tears as they say the same thing minutes into series

The Piano: Amateur pianist plays song for his wife

Channel 4 viewers were left "in tears" after they tuned into the second series of The Piano. The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, returned for a new series as they looked for new pianists to perform at the Royal Festival Hall.

The first episode kicked off in Manchester City Centre as talented musicians performed on a giant seven-metre piano. One performance that left viewers emotional involved Duncan, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia.

The 80-year-old was supported by his wife Fran and he had been playing the piano since the age of four years old. The couple have been married for 42 years and he dedicated his song, called Theme for Fran, to his wife.

This left many fans in tears as they watched him play. One person said on X: "I was doing well until Duncan started playing and now I am in bits #ThePiano."

A second commented: "The first episode of The Piano was simply wonderful! Duncan stole my heart as he did at the final concert too." A third typed: "Well done Duncan #ThePiano. Having lost my mum too early onset Alzheimer's, music was one thing that lasted longest in her memory."

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What an advert for True Love ❤️

Duncan and Fran.#thepiano pic.twitter.com/zChTWtuvb5

— Andrew Jazzie (@AndrewJazzie) April 28, 2024

A fourth chimed in: "No. Absolutely gone. Duncan and Fran have broken me," complete with crying emojis.

A fifth wrote: "Wow that was emotional Duncan needs to get to the final #ThePiano."

Speaking about his diagnosis, Duncan's wife Fran said: "There is a vulnerability there now that wasn't there before and there is an awful lot more that I need to do... the future is unknown.

"Duncan is everything to me, I would have him in any situation rather than not have him."

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After Duncan's performance, host Claudia Winkleman rushed to Lang Lang and Mika saying: "He is going to the concert, it is not a debate. It is important to have somebody like that and the fact he can speak through the piano."

At the end of the show, Mika and Lang Lang did select Duncan to go through. Whilst some fans were delighted, some felt that others were robbed of a place.

One person said: "#thepiano how did Ellis not go through? Surely if they wanted to put Duncan through come what may (and I get the back story) then surely they should have put 2 through. Very disappointing."

The Piano airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sundays.