The right NOTES

The relaxing sound of a piano gracefully being played greets TV Times when we arrive in the foyer of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in the town of Gateshead.

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It's a rather apt welcome, as we have been invited along to watch filming for the third outing of C4's smash-hit competition The Piano.

Presented again by Claudia Winkleman, the new seven-part run will see more budding musicians tickle the ivories at bustling UK train stations, starting at London Liverpool Street before moving on to Brighton, Sheffield and Newcastle Central. Plus, for the first time, the show will swap railways for runways as London Heathrow Terminal 5 plays host for an episode.

Watching over the virtuosos is returning mentor and pop chart-topper Mika, as well as a new recruit, acclaimed American singer and songwriter Jon Batiste, who replaces classical pianist Lang Lang. Mika and Jon will decide which of the pianists will appear in a special concert being held at The Glasshouse for the series finale, where they will crown their 'Performance of the Night'. Here, Claudia, 53, Mika, 41, and Jon, 38, tell us why the show holds the keys to success...

What should fans expect in this new series?

CLAUDIA We have Jon, who you will fall in love with and try to take home - you're not allowed! We are incredibly lucky to have him, and I was in awe of him. And we have the extraordinary Mika back. We went to some completely new locations, too. And I think you will love the brilliant pianists - they are just wonderful!

So, Jon, how are you finding being a mentor?