Gogglebox stars moved to tears by The Piano star's deeply moving dementia battle
It was an emotional night on Gogglebox this week, as the nation’s favourite armchair critics welcomed the return of The Piano on Channel 4. The iconic reality series, which is presented by Claudia Winkleman, pop sensation Mika, and classical music icon Lang Lang, once again returned to our screens to encourage another batch of amateur pianists to take to public pianos and find joy through music.
During the clip, the show introduced viewers to couple Fran and Duncan, but during the initial interview, Duncan appeared to be struggling to answer some of the questions, prompting the music lover to confess he was actually suffering from dementia. Yet despite his declining memory, his ability to play the piano had endured and under the watchful eye of his wife Fran, he took to the stage to play a piece he had composed for her, entitled Fran’s theme.
Reflecting on what the piece meant to him and how he felt when playing, pension Duncan sweetly told the cameras: “It just gives me such total feeling about the girl I love and the girl I married. About the girl I love and always will.”
As Duncan began to play, the Gogglebox stars were immediately overwhelmed with emotion, with several becoming teary eyed as they praised his performance and the love he clearly had for his wife. Jenny Newby in particular appeared to be visibly moved, as she reached for a tissue to dry her eyes.
The Warner sisters Ellie and Izzi were also impressed by the performance, and even went as far as saying that men in 2024 were "scraping the barrel" when compared to Duncan. Izzi later questioned where her Duncan was as she declared: “Right where’s my Duncan? I want a Duncan. Is that too much to ask?!”
Ellie then chimed in: “They’re not fit to lace Duncan’s boots are they?”
Fans at home were also loving the performance, with one viewer writing: “Thanks #gogglebox I need to watch #ThePiano now. The generation Duncan is from is so wonderfully romantic. His sweet words towards his wife just makes u smile. That type of love is a rarity these days. A timeless type of love. Dementia tries to ruin it but Love overcomes it.”
A second fan then added: “Everyone deserves someone that looks at them the way Duncan looks at Fran. Gorgeous. #Gogglebox”
Leaving a third fan to comment: "Bless Duncan that was beautiful,” while a fourth echoed: “Fran and Duncan are pure couple goals there so incredibly cute.”
And a fifth finally added: "I’m absolutely bawling here at Duncan playing the piano.”
Gogglebox continues every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4 and 4OD
