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Harrogate resident in the final of 'The Piano' on Sunday

Tuesday, 11 June 2024 12:20

Mr Duncan Goodwin playing 'A Theme for Fran'

On 9th June, Duncan Goodwin from Harrogate attended the final of the Channel 4 show, 'The Piano'.

The second season of Channel 4's 'The Piano' came to an emotional conclusion on Sunday 9th June, with host Claudia Winkleman and judges Mika and Lang Lang on hand to crown the performance of the night.

One of the finalists was Harrogate resident, 80-year-old Duncan Goodwin, who previously touched viewers' heartstrings with his performance for his wife Fran.

The moving song ‘A Theme for Fran,’ was written 30 years ago by Duncan, who has been married to Fran for 42 years and appeared in the episode.

After his first performance for the show in Manchester, presenter Claudia Winkleman told judges Mika and Lang Lang,

"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."

The emotional story of his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s two years ago and how music has been therapeutic for him, touched millions across the nation.

He made it to the final on Sunday.

Brad Kella took the win, after he performed a piece he had composed himself, named after the foster parents who took him in.

Although Duncan was not the winner, he and the other finalists were all gifted a piano.

Duncan and Fran volunteer for Dementia Forward and often attend the Dementia hub in Burton Leonard which is run by the charity.

They both 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, which is how he was cast for the hit show.

You can watch Duncan and Fran on Channel 4's "The Piano" here.

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