Quantity Surveying student reflects on emotional journey

A GCU student is to continue honouring the memory of his parents by featuring on a brand-new Channel 4 series.

BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying student Findlay Williamson will feature on this Sunday’s episode of Your Song.

The show features amateur singers across the UK performing deeply personal songs. After losing their father Kevin to oesophageal cancer in 2020, Findlay and his sisters, Poppy and Gaby, launched a fundraiser in collaboration with Worldwide Cancer Research, raising an incredible amount of money in his memory.

Tragedy then struck once again when Findlay’s mum, Victoria, passed away from breast cancer in 2024.

“The past five or six years have been incredibly tough,” explained Findlay. “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 to 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.

“The first song I learned was Love Me Tender by Elvis because my dad loved it – he also did a pretty good Elvis impression! My mum also 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.”

The months following proved to be incredibly challenging for Findlay and his family.

“There are so many changes to your daily routine when you lose both parents. My little sister, Poppy, was suddenly the priority for myself and Gaby. I felt so lucky when I was growing up that I had such a supportive and loving family, so I knew I had to keep that going, but it was obviously tough.

“During a time of such chaos, I was turning to lots of different things. I started running and completed the Paris Marathon back in 2024, but I kept coming back to my guitar whenever I felt at my lowest.”

Around the same time, Findlay’s performance at his mum’s funeral was beginning to gather attention across the country and on social media.

“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.”

Findlay was invited to auditions and was quickly confirmed as being part of the show.

“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.”

Hosted by Alison Hammond, Your Song features different contestants across weekly episodes in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham and London. Eight singers in total are then selected to work with Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder before a grand finale at the Hackney Empire in London.

“It’s been six months now since it was all filmed, but it’s always been at the back of my mind. It’s a feel-good show and being able to meet so many amazing people through it has just been an incredible experience.”

Findlay is excited to sit down with family and friends on Sunday after a busy spell with university work.

“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.”

The past six years has brought many challenges, but Findlay insists his parents have always been there with him every step of the way.

“I almost feel like the music side of things has been a bit of a gift and a blessing from my mum and dad. I feel they’re very much present whenever I pick up a guitar.

“They were our biggest supporters. Whether it was sports days or rugby matches, they were always there. They just wanted the best for us. I know if they could be here now that they would be the loudest folk in the crowd.”

He added: “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.”

More information on Your Song is available here.

You can also donate to the Williamson Legacy Fund here