"There were drones in the station. It was mad," says Isle of Wight musician (and builder), Jay Eatwell, of his experience of filming Channel Four's The Piano.

The five-part series is being aired over the next few weeks and features pianists invited to perform at train stations across the UK.

At the time, they were told their performance, from classical to pop and from chart favourites to new compositions, was being filmed for a documentary, fronted by broadcaster Claudia Winkleman.

Little did they know that 'Grace Kelly' star and Eurovision frontman, Mika and globally acclaimed pianist, Lang Lang, were watching from the wings, primed to pick their favourites for a special show at the Royal Festival Hall.

Isle of Wight County Press: Claudia Winkleman fronts Channel 4's The Piano.Claudia Winkleman fronts Channel 4's The Piano. (Image: Channel 4/The Piano.)

Isle of Wight County Press: Island musician Jay Eatwell and presenter Claudia Winkleman in a still from Channel 4's The Piano.Island musician Jay Eatwell and presenter Claudia Winkleman in a still from Channel 4's The Piano. (Image: Channel 4/The Piano.)

The series kicked off at St Pancras station - cue the arrival of Platform One alumni, the multi-talented Jay Eatwell.

It quickly became evident he had brought something special to entertain passers-by, many of who stopped to film him.

A mash-up of classical piano and rap? The judges loved it.

Lang Lang said: "He will show the Royal Festival Hall a complete new artform."

Mika enthused: "Unique! The thing I wanted to hear. I'm going to adopt him!"

Isle of Wight County Press: The Piano's Jay Eatwell at the Isle of Wight County Press office.The Piano's Jay Eatwell at the Isle of Wight County Press office. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

Isle of Wight County Press: Jay Eatwell, in a still from Channel 4's The Piano.Jay Eatwell, in a still from Channel 4's The Piano. (Image: Channel 4/The Piano.)

It seemed inevitable Jay would snap-up a slot on stage.

"For us, it was clear. He is a clash of musical worlds," Mika said.

"He's not afraid to talk about things that are personal and does it with a sound I've never heard before."

Jay is no stranger to performing. He has been playing alongside his dad in pubs since he was little - on keyboard and mandolin.

It means he was introduced to blues, jazz and Leonard Cohen at an early age.

Later, he was trained for public performance by the Island's Platform One music college.

Despite that, filming with Channel 4 was nerve-wracking, Jay told the Isle of Wight County Press - but he was delighted to find himself landed with a chance to appear on stage in London.

"It's going to take a while to sink in. I'm buzzing to have people like that compliment me.

"Music is something I never thought would happen to me," Jay told Channel 4.

"Some of the things they said were moving and motivational. It meant a lot."

He writes a song every day, using music to express himself, and now, his talents are reaching many more ears.

Isle of Wight County Press: Presenters (from left) Lang Lang, Claudia Winkleman and Mika with the episode one musicians, including Jay Eatwell.Presenters (from left) Lang Lang, Claudia Winkleman and Mika with the episode one musicians, including Jay Eatwell. (Image: Channel 4/The Piano.)

The other day he was stopped in Ventnor.

"People were asking for photos," he laughed - he even got stopped in Newport, on the way to the Isle of Wight County Press's office.

Jay's final performance is yet to appear on the small screen and he is not allowed to give anything away.

Isle of Wight County Press: The cast of episode one of Channel 4's The Piano.The cast of episode one of Channel 4's The Piano. (Image: Channel 4/The Piano.)

He said: "I feel like I am not meant for being a labourer on a building site.

"The people on site? I love them all. They've been super-supportive.

"But I am meant to be doing my music! People are sick of me going on about it.

"I want to be as famous and rich as I can and make living off what I love!"