Brad Kella garnered immense support from fans as he celebrated a significant ‘bucket list’ moment. The winner of Channel 4’s The Piano opened up about his experiences growing up in the care system, and fans responded with overwhelming encouragement.
Originally from Bootle, Brad and his twin brother Aron were taken in by foster parents Eve and Frank Kilmartin after spending time in the care system. His first single, released last month, is dedicated to them.
Throughout the show, Brad’s passion for Liverpool FC shone through, with photos of him as a child wearing a Liverpool scarf featured in several scenes. Now residing in Fazakerley, he was thrilled this week to be invited to the club’s training ground in Kirkby. There, he toured the facility, observed a training session, and recorded music with EA Sports, creators of the popular game FC (formerly FIFA).
In an Instagram post, Brad shared a photo of himself holding a Liverpool shirt with ‘The Piano 24’ emblazoned on the back. In his caption, he expressed gratitude, saying: “A huge thank you to @liverpoolfc for having me at their training grounds for a day of recording with @easportsfc. Another bucket list moment for me. I’m so grateful for the support from my team and their fans. YNWA.”
His post received thousands of likes, including one from fellow Scouse musician Jamie Webster. Fans showed their support, with Radio City DJ Pete Price commenting, “Fantastic.” Lee Kirwin added, “Living the dream, mate.” Mark Chatterley remarked, “I’m loving every line, paragraph, and note of your story, Brad.”
One of Brad’s songs, “Home to Me,” was inspired by his affection for Liverpool FC. He premiered the piece at Anfield after being invited to perform at the relaunch of the club’s museum. Brad expressed that his love for football has always been deeper than his love for music.
Earlier this year, he shared, “When I used to drive past Anfield on a bad day, it just gave me that sense of home. It’s a beacon for the city. As soon as I see the stadium, this is home to me. This is Liverpool. The piece is inspired by my memories of the club.”
“Prior to playing the piano, I wanted to be a football player. I used to play and was decent—not the best, but I could kick a ball! I faced many challenges in foster care, but when the match is on, it makes you forget everything. You’re engrossed in what will happen in those 90 minutes.”
“The team, the stadium, and everything about the club have significantly helped me throughout my journey in the care system. The spirit of the club carries the message that you’ll never walk alone, which resonates with many people in Liverpool, including me. The fact that I can say I’ve played at Anfield is monumental for me.”
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