Pianist Lucy Illingworth, 13, the winner of Channel 4 show The Piano, has viewers of the Coronation Concert in tears tonight. Lucy, who is blind and has autism, took to the stage to play Bach's Prelude in C Major.
It was a staggering performance, which had the 20,000 people lucky enough to get tickets for the concert rapt. Many took to Twitter to pay tributes to the astonishing talent.
“How incredible was little Lucy? What a talented beautiful young lady, I bet her family were so proud of her being on that stage,” said one viewer.
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Another simply added: “'Lucy Illingworth, you are astonishing.” Said another: OMG. Lucy playing the piano at the #CoronationConcert (just like on C4's The Piano). A very large lump in my throat....”
Lucy, who is part of Queen Camilla's patronage the Amber Trust, was named the UK’s best amateur pianist on the Channel 4 show. From West Yorkshire, she was born with tumours in her eyes causing her blindness, and is mostly non-verbal.
She appeared on the show, taking to a piano in Leeds train station, in front of judges Mika and Lang Lang - who also performed at the Coronation Concert - and who were left stunned by her skill. She then went on to win the contest in the show’s grand final in London.
Lucy arrived at the concert tonight in a pink chiffon dress with her mum Candice, who accompanied her on stage. She joined a huge line up of pop, classical and opera stars, including Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Olly Murs and headliners Take That.
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