Television favourite Claudia Winkleman has been spotted in the heart of Birmingham, sparking excitement among locals and fans. The presenter, best known for hosting the hit BBC show The Traitors, was seen filming for another of her popular programmes.
Celebrity Sighting in the City Centre
On 8 January 2026, Winkleman was captured on video in Birmingham city centre, specifically around New Street Station and Grand Central. Dressed in a signature long black coat and cosy handwarmers, she was sipping coffee alongside a full camera crew. The presence of a distinctive grand piano at the foot of the famous Ozzy the Bull statue was a clear clue to her mission.
She was not alone, however. The star was photographed on the station concourse standing beside her fellow judge from Channel 4's The Piano, the singer MIKA. The pair were in the city to film segments for the upcoming series of the heartwarming show, which discovers talented amateur pianists performing in busy train stations across the UK.
Returning to a Familiar Location
This is not the first time The Piano has chosen Birmingham as a backdrop. The show has previously filmed heats in several major UK stations, including:
- London St Pancras
- Leeds
- Glasgow Central
- Birmingham New Street
The programme, often described as 'Bake Off for pianos' due to its production team, is preparing for its fourth series, which is scheduled to hit screens in the spring of 2026. While it is understood that the third judge, Grammy winner Jon Batiste, will be returning, he was not seen during this particular filming session in Birmingham.
A Busy Schedule for the TV Star
Claudia Winkleman is currently navigating a packed broadcasting schedule. She is in the midst of hosting the intense fourth series of The Traitors, where 22 contestants compete for a £120,000 prize pot. In stark contrast, her work on The Piano offers a more celebratory and uplifting format, showcasing hidden musical talent in public spaces.
The key question for local music lovers now is: could the next winning pianist discovered by the show be a talented Brummie? Viewers will have to tune into Channel 4 when the new series airs later this year to find out.
