Self-taught pianist 'unfazed' by response as piano video goes viral

Picking up the love of the keys after a few school lessons two years ago, Billy Gill-Atherton felt more comfortable watching YouTube tutorials and has become obsessed with improving his musicianship.

Teaching himself a range of classical tracks, the 14-year-old often spends hours at a time perfecting his craft and always jumps at the chance to play the keys in public.

After dropping into the Ena Mill department store in Atherton, following a visit to the neighbouring Park Pianos shop, this is where a video of Billy playing the piano has gone viral on social media.

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Billy has only bene playing the piano for around two years (Image: Sharon Gill)
With Billy playing an impressive rendition of Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag, dozens of shocked shoppers stopped to watch and a video of the performance has since been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media.

After being picked up by other regional news sites, the De La Salle pupil has been showered with praise as hundreds of people have commented to congratulate him, while others have suggested that he should apply for Britain's Got Talent.

The De La Salle student has been showered with praise (Image: Sharon Gill)
Billy's proud mum Sharon said: "I can't believe the response that the video has had to be honest, it's gone mental.

"He is always wanting to play on pianos and keyboards, so it's a normal thing for us now. We have had good responses when he has played on them in Liverpool, but nothing like this video.

"He is not fazed by the response at all and has really taken it in his stride. He can be quite shy at times but when he sits at the piano, he is confident enough to play in front of anyone."

Billy is eager to get behind any public piano (Image: Sharon Gill)
With both sides of Billy's family not particularly musical, his prowess at the piano has shocked many people, particularly when they realise his age and the fact he is self-taught.

Sharon added: "Everyone thinks that their child is brilliant don't they, but the response he has been getting has made us realise that he really is amazing at this.

"At the minute he wants to be a firefighter when he is older, and just treats this as a hobby, so we're not going to push him and will just see where he takes it when he is older."