Pianist with dementia, 81, who moved viewers to tears when playing love song he wrote for his wife says he's 'never been happier' after finding fame on Channel 4's The Piano By Elizabeth Haigh Published: 17:05, 26 June 2024 | Updated: 19:01, 26 June 2024 e-mail 5 View comments An 81-year-old pianist with dementia who moved viewers of Channel 4 's The Piano to tears with a love song he wrote for his wife of 40 years has said he has 'never been happier'. Duncan Goodwin, from Harrogate, found fame on the show - hosted by Claudia Winkleman - as he made the final with his rendition of original piece Theme for Fran, performed at Manchester Piccadilly station. Mr Goodwin said his experiences since appearing on the show have been 'incredible' and said he hoped to raise awareness of dementia.
'I think it is completely incredible that this should happen, but I have complete joy within myself that I'm doing it and I've just never been happier in my life,' he told the BBC . The pensioner has been playing the piano since the age of four, and wrote Theme for Fran to show his wife how much he appreciated her more than 30 years ago. Duncan Goodwin, 81, was seen with his wife Fran, with the couple having been married for 42 years Duncan impressed the crowd, host Claudia Winkleman and judges Mika and Lang Lang as he played at Manchester Piccadilly station He started playing the piano when he was just four years old but he was diagnosed with dementia six years ago Since his diagnosis with demen.