A deeply personal tribute has led to national recognition for a rising musician.
Findlay Williamson, a quantity surveying student at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), featured on this Sunday’s episode of Channel 4’s new music show Your Song, where amateur singers share emotional performances that carry special meaning.
Findlay’s appearance on the show is rooted in a journey of personal loss.
After losing his dad Kevin to oesophageal cancer in 2020, Findlay and his sisters, Poppy and Gaby, launched a fundraiser in collaboration with Worldwide Cancer Research, raising a large sum of money in his memory.
Tragedy then struck the family once again when Findlay’s mum, Victoria, passed from breast cancer in 2024.
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Findlay said: “The last five or six years have been incredibly tough.
"I lost my dad just before going to university and then was having to try and balance my degree when my mum was terminally ill – there was a lot for me to try and deal with.
“Playing the guitar and singing came as a bit of an escape for me mentally during that time.
"I found that it was a good way of channelling some emotion and getting away from the day-to-day worries that can dominate your mind.”
Findlay learned to play a classic Elvis Presley hit as a tribute to his father, who was a fan of the singer.
He said: “The first song I learned was Love Me Tender by Elvis because my dad loved it – he also did a pretty good Elvis impression."
Findlay’s mum also had a significant musical influence on his life.
He said: “My mum played the drums when she was at school, and I can remember growing up listening to Phil Collins in the car with her.
"A few months before she passed away, my mum asked me if I would play a song for her on the guitar.
"I chose Candy by Paolo Nutini because it’s one of my favourites – she absolutely loved it to bits.
"I would play it for her whenever she was feeling down and then a month or two before she passed away, she asked me if I would perform it at her funeral.
"When the time came, it was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
After his mum’s funeral, Findlay’s performance began to gain attention online and in the media.
He said: “The BBC picked up on it and invited me on the radio.
"They also filmed a piece for the news.
"I then got a message on Instagram from a casting agent from Channel 4, who explained they were recruiting for a new show.
"I didn’t think it was real, but my sister Gaby is a journalist and thankfully did her research.”
Once selected for the show, filming quickly began.
Findlay said: “From the minute I got the green light it’s all been a bit of a rollercoaster.
"There was a lot of filming looking at what I do in my daily life − at home, out running, playing rugby with my friends, and even here at GCU.
"It’s been a unique situation, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
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Your Song, hosted by Alison Hammond, is filmed across multiple UK cities and features contestants sharing the stories behind their songs.
Eight are chosen to work with artists Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder before performing in the show’s grand finale at the Hackney Empire in London.
Although it was filmed six months ago, Findlay said the experience has stayed with him.
He said: “It’s a feel-good show and being able to meet so many amazing people through it has just been an incredible experience.
“My dissertation is due on Friday, so it has all fit in perfectly.
"I can’t wait to see how the show has been put together.
"It’s just hugely exciting for my family and I to have something so positive come out of such a negative situation.
“I know if they could be here now that they would be the loudest folk in the crowd.
“Doing the show isn’t about leaving behind a legacy for my parents because they did that for themselves by having such a big impact on everyone they met.
"What my sisters and I now want to do is quite simply highlight that they were the best people ever.
"We want to use every opportunity we can to share their story and keep their memory alive.
"The whole experience has been therapeutic because it has allowed me to reflect on a lot of happy memories.
"I just hope speaking openly about the experience of losing my parents and the positive impact music had on me can help other people who are going through something similar.”
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