Keys to success

Claudia Winkleman, Lang Lang and Mika are on the hunt for more amateur pianists as the talent show returns

- REBECCA MAHONEY, ALISON SLADE 

NEW ENTERTAINMENT 
The Piano
Sunday, 9pm, C4

In the centre of a crowd at Liverpool Lime Street Station, a fast-tempo jazz tune is being belted out on a piano and TV&Satellite Week spots Claudia Winkleman and her famous fringe swaying to the beat.

We’ve been invited to watch filming for C4’s ivory-tickling talent show The Piano, which stole the nation’s hearts when it first aired last year as budding musicians showcased their skills in UK train stations, unaware that world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang and pop superstar Mika were secretly watching.

In this new seven-part series, the talented virtuosos now know that Lang Lang and Mika are nearby, debating which performer to pick from each station to send through to the grand final. But now that there’s no big reveal, will it make a difference to the performances?