Mika as a judge for "The Piano", Channel 4 UK, 2023

The Piano (working title) will be the latest addition to the Love Productions family which is home to many beloved British treasures such as Great British Bake Off and The Great Pottery Throw Down.

A spokesperson for Love Productions told Glasgow Times: "We are filming a new programme celebrating the piano.”

A further source told Glasgow Times that the show is set to be a national piano competition, and it's believed that filming has already or will also take place in London and Edinburgh.

Filming began today and is set to take place over the next two days in Glasgow at Central Station.

A source has confirmed that filming will not affect the running of train services.

Edited April 10 by Kumazzz
update

mellody · September 22, 2022

As Mika liked the tweet about it, and there's an article in The Guardian, we assume it's official. So I put this into a new thread @Kumazzz.

Mika likes:

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/17/bake-off-team-keyboard-the-piano-tv-contest-documentary

Sat 17 Sep 2022 17.30 BST

Opening rounds were filmed at four mainline stations around the UK – St Pancras ( London ), Leeds, Glasgow Central and Birmingham New Street – with 20 amateur pianists performing at each.

The Piano will be hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Hopefuls will be evaluated by two “maestros” in Chinese classical virtuoso Lang Lang, and Lebanese-born British pop star Mika, last seen co-hosting Eurovision.

“We never dreamed we’d get such big names,” says McKerrow.

“They agreed to do it for not much money because they loved the idea and are passionate about the instrument.

Lang Lang and Mika are from different worlds, classical and pop, but their bromance is wonderful.

19 hours ago, Mikasister said:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/17/bake-off-team-keyboard-the-piano-tv-contest-documentary

Bake Off team whip up fresh keyboard stars in new TV contest – with a secret

Claudia Winkleman will host The Piano, which poses as a documentary to take undiscovered keyboard talent all the way to a London concert finale

Claudia Winkleman filming a segment for The Piano at St Pancras station in London.

Photograph: Gavin Rodgers/pixel8000

Michael Hogan
Sat 17 Sep 2022 17.30 BST

The gentle, soothing (though sometimes tear-inducing) art of creating fabulous cakes and biscuits has for many years drawn huge audiences to The Great British Bake Off. Now its creators hope to do the same with another calming and often genteel pastime: piano playing.

This search for undiscovered ivory-tinkling talent will be documented weekly in The Piano, which will follow amateur pianists all the way to a finale concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall. It aims to tap into the “street piano” phenomenon, which has spawned viral videos of people playing in public, and is the brainchild of Richard McKerrow, co-founder and creative director of Love Productions, which also makes The Great Pottery Throw Down and The Great British Sewing Bee.

The new series, due to air next year, grew out of a conversation with Channel 4’s chief content officer, Ian Katz. “Four years ago, we were both learning the piano and discussed how remarkable these public pianos were,” says McKerrow. “We passed the one in St Pancras station [in London] every day on our commutes. Ian asked: ‘Could you make a show about it?’ I jumped at the chance.”

Judges Lang Lang and Mika are from different worlds, classical and pop, but their bromance is wonderful
Richard McKerrow
What started out as a heartwarming one-off documentary soon evolved into something bigger. Opening rounds were filmed at four mainline stations around the UK – St Pancras, Leeds, Glasgow Central and Birmingham New Street – with 20 amateur pianists performing at each. Next comes a major twist.

“Suddenly we had a brainwave,” says McKerrow. “What if it’s a competition but they don’t know it? The pianists think they’re in a documentary, then we tell them it’s a competition too. I can’t think of another show that’s ever done that.” The best contestants go through to play in the grand finale concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

The Piano will be hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Hopefuls will be evaluated by two “maestros” in Chinese classical virtuoso Lang Lang, and Lebanese-born British pop star Mika, last seen co-hosting Eurovision.

“We never dreamed we’d get such big names,” says McKerrow. “They agreed to do it for not much money because they loved the idea and are passionate about the instrument. Lang Lang and Mika are from different worlds, classical and pop, but their bromance is wonderful. It reminds me of Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry when Bake Off began – the high-end professional and the home baker, bringing their expertise together.”

Contestants are drawn from a wide cross-section of society. “Even by Bake Off’s broad standards, the casting is diverse,” says McKerrow. “They span from six-year-olds to 95-year-olds. There are autistic, blind and disabled pianists. For many of them, the piano is their escape. It’s magical and emotional. The music is eclectic too, ranging from hip-hop to jazz to classical. It’s a similar artform to Bake Off in some ways. Pianists and bakers practise their skill for themselves but the results are shared with others. Food and music are international languages.”

The Great British Bake Off team, from left, Matt Lucas, Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood and Noel Fielding. Photograph: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4/Love Productions
The latest series of Bake Off launched last week. Channel 4 decided to go ahead with its broadcast despite widespread TV schedule changes after the Queen’s death. “It was a strange time to be landing but felt somehow appropriate,” says McKerrow. “At a time of national mourning, Bake Off is therapeutic. It brings people together.”

The 13th run of the hit cake-making contest represents a homecoming. The production is back at Welford Park, Berkshire, after two years of filming in a Covid-safe bubble at Down Hall Hotel, Essex. “Welford is our spiritual home, so it’s great to be back,” says McKerrow. He teases surprise to come this series, including a fancy-dressed theme week and a no-recipe technical challenge.

The UK judges are also working together on the US version for the first time. Hollywood was already a judge on The Great American Baking Show. Prue Leith now joins him as the series returns after a three-year hiatus due to lockdown. What many viewers don’t realise is that The Great American Baking Show is filmed at Pinewood Studios, with the bakers brought over to the UK for the duration of the contest.

“We’ve now got two British judges and we’re shooting it here,” laughs McKerrow. “It’s getting more British each year.”

It has been a tricky two years for Love Productions, whose stock in trade is factual formats with large casts and crews. During lockdown, it focused on finding ways to make its existing series safely in bubbles – both to keep its teams employed and audiences entertained.

This meant new projects were put on hold. Now McKerrow and co are firing on all cylinders again. Next to hit our screens is The Big Blow Out, a hairstyling contest coming to E4 in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, Bake Off: The Musical premiered at Cheltenham’s Everyman theatre in the summer and is in talks to transfer to London next year. “Fingers crossed,” says McKerrow. “It’s an exciting time.”

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

MIKAINSTAGRAM IG stories in August 2022

Mika in Glasgow

Mika for film shooting at somewhere

Mika in the dressing room on his birthday.

Mika in Birmingham

Edited September 22, 2022 by Kumazzz

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

INSTAGRAM

langlangpiano

Lang Lang - 郎朗　following mikainstagram

https://www.instagram.com/langlangpiano/following/

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

A short clip from FACEBOOK

Birmingham Updates ·

August 18

Something's being filmed in New Street Station

It features Claudia Winkleman and a piano

Wonder what it is?

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1254524498718218

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

Mika was not at here...

St Pancras Eurostar International Departures

Date taken: 25 July 2022

Claudia Winkleman and queues Strictly Star Claudia Winkleman, 50, as she filmed a segment for a new TV series on piano playing. As huge queues waited for Eurostar St Pancras Eurostar International Departures today. 25.7.22 Long queues were forming to check in for the trains to France and elsewhere. Meanwhile some in the queues got a glimpse of Strictly Star Claudia Winkleman, 50, as she filmed a segment for a new TV series on piano playing. Looking extremely slender the raven haired presenter joked with travellers as she practised her script. One passerby remarked; “Oh my God, she’s lost so much weight. Reducing the visible lengths of the queues a strict system didn’t allow people to start queuing before their train was next up. Many were huddle in side corridors waiting for their departure. Picture by

Claudia winkleman and queues strictly star claudia winkleman, 50, as she filmed a segment for a new tv series on piano playing.

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/Claudia-Winkleman-and-queues-Strictly-Star-Claudia-Winkleman%2C-50%2C-as-she-filmed-a-segment-for-a-new-TV-series-on-piano-playing..html?imgt=0

16 pics

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

About Leeds...

Two Public Pianos in Leeds

https://pianos.pub/location/united-kingdom/england/leeds

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

8 hours ago, Kumazzz said:

Glasgow Times

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/20592317.film-crews-channel-4-series-spotted-glasgow-central-station/

Film crews for Channel 4 series SPOTTED in Glasgow Central Station

1st August

Film crews have been spotted in Glasgow Central Station for an upcoming Channel 4 series.

The Piano (working title) will be the latest addition to the Love Productions family which is home to many beloved British treasures such as Great British Bake Off and The Great Pottery Throw Down.

A spokesperson for Love Productions told Glasgow Times: "We are filming a new programme celebrating the piano.”

A further source told Glasgow Times that the show is set to be a national piano competition, and it's believed that filming has already or will also take place in London and Edinburgh.

Filming began today and is set to take place over the next two days in Glasgow at Central Station.

A source has confirmed that filming will not affect the running of train services.

Glasgow Times

2nd August

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/20593517.strictly-come-dancing-presenter-claudia-winkleman-spotted-filming-glasgow/

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman spotted filming in Glasgow

GLASWEGIANS were baffled to see TV star Claudia Winkleman filming in the middle of the city.

Commuters spotted the Strictly Come Dancing presenter, 50, in Central Station today with film crews.

A photo shared by Glasgow Times Camera Club member Billy Harmon shows her sitting at a piano with another lady as a camera focuses on them.

Claudia's appearance at the station also received a reaction on social media, with one person tweeting: "Here I feel right awkward just got the train into Glasgow Central and Claudia Winkleman is here in the middle of filming something."

They then shared another photo of the BAFTA-nominated star and added "I think it's for a Channel 4 documentary or something."

proof if u don’t believe me pic.twitter.com/GKpmn6aqoQ
— Mary Kate (@marykateross) August 1, 2022

Another wrote: "Why is no one talking about Claudia Winkleman and her iconic fringe casually being in Glasgow Central with a piano?"

It comes after we reported that a Channel 4 production is in the works as camera crews were seen filming in the busy waiting area.

The Piano (working title) is a new programme that "celebrates" the instrument and is being produced by the team behind the Great British Bake Off.

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

Glasgow

The Scottish Sun

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/9243542/claudia-winkleman-strictly-come-dancing-glasgow-central-the-piano/

STARGAZING

Commuters left speechless as Claudia Winkleman films new TV show in Glasgow Central Station

17:53, 1 Aug 2022

STRICTLY Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman was spotted in Glasgow yesterday as shocked punters watched her film a new TV show in Central Station.

The telly presenter looked to be in good spirits as she spent the day fronting a Channel 4 programme expected for release next year.

Tentatively titled The Piano, it sees amateur pianists invited to play in train stations across the UK.

Passers-by were impressed by the music on display as one hopeful got a particularly loud reaction after he belted out Walking in Memphis.

One spectator said: "It's not every day you see TV cameras in Glasgow Central,

"I was just heading home after I finished work when I spotted Claudia Winkleman.

"People weren't sure what was happening but we were all impressed once the musicians started playing.

"It was a great surprise."

We revealed last week that Claudia's new TV show, The Traitors, is already teeing up a sequel even though the first instalment is yet to air.

The competition series started filming in the Highlands in May and filming has just ended, but the team behind the project have been told they could be making season two this autumn.

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

Birmingham Mail

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/bbc-strictly-come-dancing-star-24790039

12:08, 18 AUG 2022

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star spotted filming at Birmingham New Street

She was spotted at the station filming for a new project

BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Claudia Winkleman was spotted filming for a secret project at Birmingham's New Street Station. Claudia has been hosting Strictly alongside Tess Daley since 2014 when she took over from long-time host Bruce Forsyth.

Claudia is a much-loved host on the show and is usually found interviewing the Strictly stars after their dances before supporting them as they receive their scores from the judges. She previously hosted spin-off show It Takes Two.

The star was spotted sitting at a small piano and chatting to a man as the pair were filmed for a secret project. Cameraman could been nearby as she was filmed sitting next to the boards of New Street station.

Claudia looked stunning in a striped pink jumper and black trousers. She kept is casual with some light pink shoes with a low heel and styled her hair straight showing off her iconic fringe.

She first joined the Strictly hosting team in 2004 when she became the host of It Takes Two. In 2010, she then began joining Tess as a main host on Sunday's results show.

Edited September 22, 2022 by Kumazzz

Paoletta · September 22, 2022

:wub2:

CharlotteL · September 22, 2022

6 hours ago, Kumazzz said:

The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/17/bake-off-team-keyboard-the-piano-tv-contest-documentary

Sat 17 Sep 2022 17.30 BST

Opening rounds were filmed at four mainline stations around the UK – St Pancras ( London ), Leeds, Glasgow Central and Birmingham New Street – with 20 amateur pianists performing at each.

The Piano will be hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Hopefuls will be evaluated by two “maestros” in Chinese classical virtuoso Lang Lang, and Lebanese-born British pop star Mika, last seen co-hosting Eurovision.

“We never dreamed we’d get such big names,” says McKerrow.

“They agreed to do it for not much money because they loved the idea and are passionate about the instrument.

Lang Lang and Mika are from different worlds, classical and pop, but their bromance is wonderful.

Claudia Winkleman, Mika and freaking Lang Lang?? This sounds so wild, I love it. Have they done stuff together / been friends before or where is this idea of their "bromance" coming from?

teenagedreamer98 · September 22, 2022

This is all so exciting, I will definitely be watching! :excite:

It's a really cool idea for a talent show and I love Claudia Winkleman too! This definitely explains why Mika was in Glasgow and Birmingham.

carafon · September 22, 2022

That seems very interresting and it's a great honour for Mika to be part of the show along with Lang Lang

mellody · September 22, 2022

Found this video on Twitter, seems he mentioned it also after the show in Verona:

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

Searching Clips from TikTok

Leeds Train Station

The Glasgow Central

Birmingham New Street Station

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1265437710877889

St Pancras

Edited September 24, 2022 by Kumazzz
typo

TinyLove_CJ · September 22, 2022

The winner of the show gets to perform at the London Royal Festival Hall, with this TV show being pre-recorded the winner has likely already been chosen but it makes me wonder if the performance in London has happened yet. And I wonder if the winner gets to perform with Mika and Lang Lang there too, if that's yet to happen then I would definitely love to be in the audience for that!

Hopefully more information in a few months perhaps! 🙂

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

Pop Star and Eurovision host Mika will be one of the judges on The Piano.

TinyLove_CJ · September 22, 2022

Didn't realise the article is in the print version of The Observer! I thought it was just online! I'm definitely spending nearly £3 tomorrow just get a tiny picture of Mika! 😁

Kumazzz · September 22, 2022

Glasgow Central

Kumazzz · September 23, 2022

Glasgow Central Station

Kumazzz · September 23, 2022

Glasgow Central Station

Kumazzz · September 23, 2022

Leeds

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Mika as a judge for "The Piano", Channel 4 UK, 2023

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