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CLAUD'S ENCORE
Huge reality TV hit fronted by Claudia Winkleman to get second series and festive special after wowing audiences
IN a world of big-budget, glitzy talent shows, Channel 4’s The Piano was refreshingly simple.
The series, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, followed talented normal people tinkling the ivories at train stations across the country simply for the pleasure of playing.
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So I’m thrilled to tell you it will be back for a second series next year, as well as a festive special this December.
Chief Creative Officer at Channel 4, Ian Katz, said: “In a world full of wannabes seeking their moment in the limelight, The Piano was a breath of fresh air.
“It celebrated ordinary people doing something extraordinary for the sheer love of it.
“From 94-year-old widower George who played in Glasgow station to Lucy, the blind 13-year-old who stole the nation’s hearts.”
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Piano pros Mika and classical pianist Lang Lang will be back to judge as the series, from Love Productions, expands from this year’s five episodes to seven.
The team will again travel to meet more amateur pianists at some new iconic locations.
In the spectacular finale of series one, viewers saw remarkable teen Lucy win performance of the night with her awe-inspiring rendition of Debussy’s Arabesque No1 at London’s Royal Festival Hall in front of more than 2,000 spectators.
Since then, she has played at the Coronation Concert for King Charles in May.
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As I exclusively revealed in March, she will star in a one-off documentary which will follow Lucy and her piano teacher Daniel.
The Christmas special will feature series one favourites performing carols and festive favourites at London’s King’s Cross station.
The Piano was Channel 4’s best-rating new format since 2017, with 2.7million tuning in.
Heart-warming telly has become the key to good ratings these days.
Island’s a small world
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THE latest batch of Love Islanders walking into the villa will be familiar to some old faces on the show.
I can reveal that newcomer Josh Brocklebank used to date Demi Jones, who fought thyroid cancer after appearing in the 2020 series.
Meanwhile, bombshell Ella Barnes used to date hunk Aaron Simpson from the 2021 run, and is also mates with 2019 beauty Belle Hassan.
And just months ago she shared steamy snogs with current islander Tyrique Hyde.
Ella has revealed she is heading into the ITV2 villa to win him back.
They’ll need to rope in the Who Do You Think You Are? team soon to unravel all these knots.
Meera's 'untold stories'
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HOT on the heels of her Bafta Fellowship, Meera Syal will deliver the Alternative MacTaggart at the Edinburgh TV Festival next month.
The Goodness Gracious Me star said she was looking forward to sharing “untold stories”.
Edinburgh Advisory chair Kiran Nataraja said: “I’m so excited that the wonderful Meera Syal has agreed to be this year’s Alternative MacTaggart speaker.
“As an icon who has always been at the forefront of the industry, I know her unique perspective will make for a fascinating and lively session.”
Meera said: “I am delighted to be invited to speak as this year’s Alternative MacTaggart and look forward to sharing some of those untold stories.”
Documentarian Louis Theroux will deliver the main MacTaggart lecture.
Hugh's a man of steel
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HE’S an actor, writer, musician and recently made his directorial debut on the ITV whodunnit Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? but Hugh Laurie doesn’t seem able to chill out.
The Night Manager star has confessed to taking up yet another profession, having recently started training as a blacksmith and welder.
Hugh said: “I’ve bought myself an anvil and am keen to become proficient in welding and blacksmithing.
“I can’t guarantee how I will get on.
“I am incredibly clumsy and quite possibly not suited to these very particular skills.
“But I’m determined to give it my best shot and learn whatever I can learn. It’s the way the world is going.”
The jack-of-all-trades added: “We’re all going to have to learn to make things and mend things in the future, aren’t we?”
Not while my Amazon account remains open.
Tate gets ghosted on stage
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CATHERINE TATE is used to making audiences laugh – but now she wants them to scream.
The Queen Of Oz star will appear alongside Shameless actor David Threlfall in The Enfield Haunting, a spooky play based on a real-life story.
In 1977, a family in north London were tormented by the presence of a ghost in their home.
Catherine will play single mum Peggy, who tries to protect her children from the poltergeist.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be part of The Enfield Haunting.”
The tale also inspired the 2016 horror movie The Conjuring 2.
The Enfield Haunting will run from November 30.
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