Channel 4's The Piano returns with major series twist

Channel 4's The Piano returns with major series twist
Source: Daily Mail Online

The Piano is set to return with a major twist to the Channel 4 series as host Claudia Winkleman will be joined by a series of famous faces.

It first premiered in February 2023 and has gone on to air 19 episodes across three seasons.

The music competition show, hosted by Claudia, sees amateur pianists show off their incredible skills on a public piano around the UK, all while being judged.

The contestants have played at the likes of London St Pancras, Glasgow Central, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.

During season one and two, they were judged by pianist Lang Lang and singer Mika, and then the latest saw Lang Lang replaced by Jon Batiste.

The winners are given the opportunity to perform at the Royal Festival Hall.

'Claudia Winkleman and Mika are back, joined by new mentor and seven-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste, as they begin their search for the UK's best amateur pianists,' 4oD's synopsis reads.

But now, ahead of the new series, Mika will join forces with a number of other faces to judge the musicians.

While at Birmingham New Street Station, Tiffany Poon will join the team; Jools Holland OBE will be there at London Bridge station; Jamie Cullum will join the pair at Glasgow Central station.

Composer Hiromi will be there to judge at York station; Alice Sara Ott will be on our screens for the Manchester Piccadilly episode.

And fans will be happy to know that old judge Jon will return to our screens as well.

Claudia has been part of the show since it premiered.

The presenter, who recently stepped back from her role on Strictly, has had a busy few months after recently wrapping up on the third series of BBC's The Traitors.

She also has her The Claudia Winkleman show due to come out later this year.

A first look at Claudia Winkleman's new BBC chat show sees the host mock her own love of fake tan - by slapping orange paint on her face and joking, 'I'm ready!'.

Earlier this week, the BBC revealed that the new format will launch on screens from Friday, March 13 at 10.40pm - and now, Claudia, 54, has confirmed the date.

In a teaser trailer for the series, the former Strictly Come Dancing host can be seen placing small oranges inside a bucket of gloop as she jokes the colour 'isn't orange enough' for her liking.

'Yes, just still not orange enough...' as she checked the colour of the paint, before continuing: 'Hi, it's Claud here. I have a new show, I am really getting prepared.

'They want me to tell you it starts on Friday the 13th, well, I’ve had a good run.'

Putting the paint on her face and pouting towards the camera, Claudia concludes before walking off screen: 'Yep, I’m ready.'

Set to air on BBC One on Friday nights, The Claudia Winkleman Show will launch in Spring 2026 and will see The Traitors legend interview some of 'the biggest names from the worlds of film, television, music and beyond' with a live audience.

Her first guests include Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen and Devil Wears Prada's Vanessa Williams.

The set for the show will reportedly be modelled on the aesthetic of The Traitors castle in a bid to recreate a look which 'is now synonymous with Claudia'.

Speaking about her new gig, Claudia said previously: 'I can't quite believe it and I'm incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity.'

'I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon they're letting me try.'

The Piano airs on Channel 4.