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Brad Kella honoured with Liverpool blue plaque

Haider Saleem,North Westand
Rachael Rhodes,Merseyside
UMPF Brad Kella is standing, and pulls a white cover from a blue plaque as people watch and take photographs on their phones beside a decorated piano. It is sunny day. UMPF
Self-taught pianist Brad Kella unveiled the blue plaque at Liverpool ONE on Wednesday at the spot where, in August 2014, he first played

A self-taught pianist who once busked at a Liverpool shopping centre to support himself and his daughters has unveiled a blue plaque where his musical journey began.

Brad Kella returned to Liverpool ONE on Wednesday, more than 10 years after first performing there.

Kella, who grew up in Bootle, went on to win the second series of Channel 4 talent show The Piano after producers spotted an online video of him playing at the centre.

Liverpool ONE installed the plaque as its annual Tickle the Ivories festival got under way.

UMPF A blue circular plaque commemorating Brad Kella on a grey brick wall, with two mobile phones held up in front. It reads: This plaque commemorates the adjacent spot where, in August 2014, self-taught pianist Brad Kella first played at Liverpool ONE. It was the start of a personal journey that led to him winning series two of Channel 4's The Piano in 2024 and later achieving a number one debut album, Phobe's Melody. Liverpool One has celebrated local talent with its annual piano festival, Tickle the Ivories, since 2011.UMPF
The plaque marks where Kella first performed at the shopping centre more than 10 years ago

Kella said the plaque, which features his daughters' names, meant "the absolute world" to him.

"My journey started on this very street," he said.

"Every time I get to walk down the street now, where I once was in a rough place in my life, I get to have the biggest smile on my face."

Liverpool ONE centre director Brendan Hattam said Kella's story showed "the power in providing a platform for local artists and emerging talent".

The Tickle the Ivories festival, which has been running since 2011, sees pianos installed around the city centre for members of the public to play free of charge. It continues until mid-September.

Kella said public pianos had changed his life and he hoped they would do the same for others.

"Just go for it," he told aspiring musicians. "You never know what'll come out of it."

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