Channel 4 viewers were ‘broken’ by the heartbreaking story of a couple on The Piano.
Claudia Winkleman hosts the music competition series, where judges Mika and Lang Lang search for the UK’s top amateur pianists.
Lucy, who is blind and regularly moved viewers to tears with her talent, won the first season, which was a huge success last year.
Fans of The Piano have been reaching for tissues once more as it returned tonight, moved by how Duncan, who has dementia, uses music to express his love for his long-term wife Fran.
Fran, who said she knew she wanted to marry Duncan, 80, the moment she met him, described how piano playing helped him heal and communicate while he battled the disease.
Duncan performed his own composition, a piece written in honour of Fran, at Manchester Picadilly station, where the performances were taking place.
Their love story destroyed viewers, with Sue on X declaring she was ‘proper snot crying’ after Duncan played.
Stating they were experiencing a similar emotion, John Barry said: ‘No. Absolutely gone. Duncan and Fran have broken me.’
Andrew Jazzie said: ‘What an advert for true love.’
Nothing gives me goosebumps like #ThePiano The perfect Sunday night television.
— Jane Sarah Matthews (@JaneSMatthews) April 28, 2024
The Piano is back and I am ready for an hour of cathartic crying. #ThePiano
— Marianne (@lazyfactchecker) April 28, 2024
Been waiting for this. I know I'm going to cry….I always cry #ThePiano
— John Barry (@zammotheowl) April 28, 2024
What an advert for True Love ❤️
Duncan and Fran.#thepiano pic.twitter.com/zChTWtuvb5
— Andrew Jazzie (@AndrewJazzie) April 28, 2024
#ThePiano
Fran and Duncan- proper snot crying now.— Hippomuddyrunner (@DorbanSue) April 28, 2024
No. Absolutely gone. Duncan and Fran have broken me 😭😭#ThePiano
— John Barry (@zammotheowl) April 28, 2024
Ethan, nine, who expressed his emotions through piano playing, also astounded viewers.
He played a piece that his late uncle had asked him to play at his funeral.
Other pianists who performed for Claudia, Mika, and Lang included boxer Ellis and DJ Salome, who discussed her difficulties in obtaining UK citizenship after emigrating from Georgia.
As The Piano started, many viewers on X declared they were anticipating a good sob.
John Barry said: ‘Been waiting for this. I know I’m going to cry…I always cry #ThePiano,’ John shared.
Echoing John’s sentiment, Jane Sarah Matthews: ‘Nothing gives me goosebumps like #ThePiano The perfect Sunday night television.’
Marianne added: ‘The Piano is back and I am ready for an hour of cathartic crying. #ThePiano.’
The Piano continues on Sunday at 9pm on Channel 4.
