The Piano Season 3: Claudia Winkleman Leads a Fresh Line-Up of Judges and Jaw-Dropping Airport Performances
Claudia Winkleman Returns with a New Judging Duo
Channel 4’s *The Piano* is back for another electrifying run, and this time, things look a bit different. The third season starts Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 9 pm, bringing everyone’s favorite host Claudia Winkleman right back to the grand piano. The real shake-up is on the judging panel, though—Mika’s back with his trademark charisma and tough love, but this year he’s joined by the Grammy-winning Jon Batiste. Longtime fans will notice the absence of classical maestro Lang Lang, but Batiste’s energy is set to put a new spin on what’s become Britain’s most wholesome music showdown.
Seven episodes are lined up, each promising big emotions, surprise talents, and a front-row look at the UK’s hidden piano stars. The show’s signature blend of nerves, public performance, and uplifting stories hasn’t changed, but you can bet these new faces behind the piano are going to bring something fresh.
From Train Stations to Airports: Taking Music Where the People Are
One thing *The Piano* has always nailed? Its choice of venue. This season, the show is going bigger and bolder, with amateur pianists not just performing at busy train stations like London Liverpool Street, Brighton, Sheffield, and Newcastle Central, but also, for the first time, inside London Heathrow’s Terminal 5. That’s right—while most of us are grabbing a coffee or scanning the departure boards, passengers could stumble upon a seriously moving piano performance from an everyday talent chasing their dream.
Each episode puts unsung musicians in the spotlight, inviting them to share their stories and skills in the thick of public hustle—a formula that’s earned the series its label as the ‘Bake Off for pianos’. The competition heats up each night with a ‘Performance of the Night’ pick, giving standout hopefuls the shot at the season’s biggest stage: the grand finale concert at Gateshead’s stunning Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
This season isn’t just relying on talent alone. There are some wildcards thrown in—expect a tarot reader to make an appearance in the very first episode, leaving both judges and players guessing. And the variety on show is broader than ever, from boogie-woogie numbers performed by model railway club members to evocative original pieces inspired by everything from anglerfish to epic life moments.
Claudia Winkleman keeps things grounded, her friendly interviewing style making it easy for performers to open up. Whether they're nervous teenagers or retirees dusting off old memories, their journeys and music carry the show. The judges—especially new recruit Batiste—promise more unpredictable feedback and surprising favorites, pushing the performers to new heights across iconic public spaces.
Fans of the show will spot familiar warmth and a few new twists this year, but the heart of *The Piano* remains unchanged: spotlighting remarkable stories, raw talent, and the unifying magic of music, wherever the piano gets played.