The Piano
The Piano is a new talent show that will profile the best amateur pianists in the UK, performing on pianos at four stations around the country. Unbeknownst to the contestants, it's not just a documentary: it's also a competition. The contestants are secretly being judged, and the four best of them - one from each station - will perform at the Royal Festival Hall to an audience of thousands in the final episode.
Seasons
1. St. Pancras.
Air Date: 2023-02-15
The search begins as passionate amateurs play the public piano at a busy London station
2. Leeds
Air Date: 2023-02-22
In Leeds, as the search continues, a unique performance stops the station in its tracks
3. Glasgow
Air Date: 2023-03-01
An 86-year-old, a boogie woogie biker and an Elton John-playing viruoso each hit the keys
4. Birmingham
Air Date: 2023-03-08
Things get misty-eyed as a Welsh retiree takes the piano off down memory lane
5. The Final
Air Date: 2023-03-15
The pianists play for a packed Royal Festival Hall. Who delivers the winning performance?
6. The Concert
Air Date: 2023-03-15
A chance to watch the full final concert from the Royal Festival Hall
1. Manchester
Air Date: 2024-04-28
The search begins with a classically trained boxer, a dance DJ and an 80-year-old romantic
2. Cardiff
Air Date: 2024-05-05
In Wales - the land of song - the search continues with triplets and a song about conkers
3. Edinburgh
Air Date: 2024-05-12
The team are blown away by a boy in a bow tie and charmed by a piano-playing postie
4. London Victoria
Air Date: 2024-05-19
Lang Lang hails 'the new Bach' and a milkman plays his heart out in London
5. Liverpool
Air Date: 2024-05-26
This time: a rapping call centre manager. Infamous Billy the Hat. And a group sing-along
6. Pre-Final
Air Date: 2024-06-02
The final concert's approaching. Will the pianists be rehearsed and ready in time?
7. The Final
Air Date: 2024-06-09
The pianists play live at a sold-out auditorium. But who wins performance of the night?
1. London Liverpool Street
Air Date: 2025-04-13
The search for the UK's most exciting amateur pianists starts at London's Liverpool Street Station with an encounter with a dinner lady, some star power and a tarot reader.
2. Brighton
Air Date: 2025-04-20
It's off to the seaside, as Claudia, Mika and Jon Batiste's continuing search for more amazing amateur pianists takes in some boogie-woogie and a song about a tapeworm.
3. Sheffield
Air Date: 2025-04-27
On the hottest day of the year, Claudia, Mika and Jon encounter a professional footballer with the sweetest voice, an unexpected trumpet, and a piece inspired by a fish.
4. Newcastle
Air Date: 2025-05-04
In Newcastle, there's an incredible display of pianistic talent from a romantic tram driver, a teenager hits all the right notes, and an 87-year-old widow brings everyone to tears.
5. Heathrow
Air Date: 2025-05-11
The search concludes, at Heathrow Airport. The contenders for the final spot on the stage are a talented pilot, a romantic charity worker and a teacher with a royal medal.
6. Preparation
Air Date: 2025-05-18
With the big concert looming, the hard work starts. Mika, Jon Batiste and Claudia help prepare the amateur pianists to perform. But have they taken too big a risk with the line-up?
7. The Final
Air Date: 2025-05-25
The day of the final concert has arrived. The seven amateur pianists prepare to play their hearts out in front of a packed auditorium. Who'll win the Performance of the Night award?
1. Birmingham New Street
Air Date: 2026-07-12
Their first stop is Birmingham New Street station, where American classical pianist Tiffany Poon joins Mika in the observation room as performers including the youngest and oldest pianists ever to appear on the show, and a composer inspired by the Grand Canyon, take their turns at the keyboard.
2. Glasgow/London Liverpool Street
Air Date: 2026-07-19
Claudia Winkleman and Mika are joined by jazz superstar Jamie Cullum. A last-minute change of location means several of Scotland's amateur pianists travel south from Glasgow to London Liverpool Street. Among those taking part are a pianist who refused to give up after a brain tumour left him unable to use his right hand, a Mexican mother rediscovering her passion for playing, and a gifted teenager inspired by the Isle of Lewis.
3. York
Air Date: 2026-07-26
Claudia Winkleman and Mika arrive at York Station, where they're joined by internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Hiromi. Among those taking to the public piano are Britain's oldest pub landlord, who gets the whole station singing, a gifted songwriter with deeply personal original number, and a remarkable 12-year-old who transforms the sounds of the station into music.
4. London Liverpool Street
Air Date: 2026-08-02
Claudia Winkleman and Mika are joined at Liverpool Street station by Jools Holland. A 10-year-old takes to the keys and gets the whole station singing, an 84-year-old proves that music keeps you young with a spirited rendition of Roll Out the Barrel, a satellite engineer reveals a romantic side with the music of Charles Aznavour, and a gifted 15-year-old composer performs an original piece.
5. Manchester Piccadilly
Air Date: 2026-08-09
Claudia Winkleman and Mika are joined by internationally acclaimed pianist Alice Sara Ott as the search for Britain's most remarkable amateur pianists continues in Manchester. Among those taking to the public piano are a fearless young composer who creates a brand-new piece from just two notes; a seven-year-old who charms the entire station; and a remarkable pianist whose triumphant return to music leaves everyone in tears.
6. Mentoring
Air Date: 2026-08-16
With one wildcard place for the Birmingham Symphony Hall show still up for grabs, Mika chooses his sixth and final pianist. Jon Batiste returns as the finalists begin preparing for the biggest concert of their lives - but as they quickly discover, getting ready for the concert is about far more than learning the notes. Will the players be ready in time for their big show?
7. The Final
Air Date: 2026-08-23
The search for Britain's most remarkable amateur pianists concludes as Claudia Winkleman and Mika head for Birmingham and the final concert. Six amateur pianists take to the stage at a sold-out Birmingham Symphony Hall, where Mika is joined by Alice Sara Ott to choose the performance of the night.
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Rating
5.6/10
Release Date
2023-02-15
Episodes
27 (4 seasons)
Status
Returning Series
Cast
Production Companies
Love Productions