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

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 dementia six years ago, he has bene trying to raise awareness of the condition, he told the show.

Read More

The Piano viewers moved to tears as man with dementia tells of his heartbreaking struggle with syndrome before impressing with emotional performance

Mr Goodwin has now received bookings to play his music at venues around the country to raise money for the North Yorkshire charity Dementia Forward.

During the programme he won over judges superstar pianist Lang Lang and pop singer Mika, as well as millions of viewers.

His wife Fran told the BBC: 'The future is unknown but Duncan is everything to me. I would have him in any situation rather than not have him.

'Every time I hear him playing the song, I have to give him a kiss because it's so special, it really is a beautiful piece and it means a great deal.

'It's wonderful but with all the attention that he's getting with people coming up to him, he has turned into a diva, but then I say, 'I don't see why not'.'

Speaking on the show, she explained how dementia has given her husband a 'vulnerability' that he didn't previously have.

Fran said: 'There is a vulnerability there now that wasn't there before and there is an awful lot more that I need to do... the future is unknown'

Fran said of her husband: 'Duncan is everything to me, I would have him in any situation rather than not have him'

A man with dementia moved viewers of The Piano to tears as the show returned to Channel 4 for a second series earlier this year

Mr Goodwin added, on his composition: 'It just gives me such total feeling about the girl I found and the girl I married, the girl I love and always will.'

The couple first met in 1964 and have been married for more than 42 years. 

When he was sent through to the final, many viewers were moved to tears. 

One person wrote on Twitter: 'I was doing well until Duncan started playing and now I am in bits.'

While someone else shared: 'Fran & Duncan. How beautiful. Total devotion to each other. Dementia is not only heartbreaking for the sufferer but so cruel to their loved ones. It’s unspeakably cruel to watch the person you love fade away.'

Another person wrote: 'Duncan has dementia, but speaks through music. Great to have #ThePiano back.'

And someone else posted: 'Duncan on #ThePiano I’m gone!'