Student caps off time at GCU after Your Song success

A student has reflected on how he balanced his final year at GCU while starring in a brand-new Channel 4 series.

Findlay Williamson graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Quantity Surveying last week, an achievement made all the more remarkable given the challenging personal circumstances he’s endured throughout his time at university.

Findlay and his sisters, Poppy and Gaby, lost their dad, Kevin, to oesophageal cancer in 2020. Just four years later their mum, Victoria, also passed away from breast cancer.

We spoke to Findlay in April about the impact this had at a pivotal point in his life. He also discussed the positive influence of music and how his emotional rendition of Paolo Nutini’s ‘Candy’ at his mum’s funeral led to a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity.

Your Song, which is hosted by Alison Hammond, features singers from around the UK performing deeply personal songs. After episodes in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham and London, five singers were selected to work with Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder before performing at London’s Hackney Empire in front of more than 1000 people.

Findlay was approached online by a casting agent from Channel 4 after footage of his performance at his mum’s funeral went viral. He was then invited to perform in Edinburgh and knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“It’s been a crazy time in my life,” admitted Findlay. “My focus that day was just on going out there and doing the best I could for both my parents. ‘Candy’ was my mum’s favourite song so it meant a lot to be able to perform it again.”

Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder were impressed by Findlay’s vocal abilities and made sure his performance in front of Edinburgh Castle wasn’t his last.

“We were made aware that there would be a final, but I didn’t think about it too much.  I was content with just being involved and never in a million years thought I would be the one fortunate enough to go through.”

Findlay was selected as Scotland’s representative for the grand finale in London. Before he took to the stage for a second time, he was invited to work with Sam Ryder.

“I’d have been more than happy to work with Sam or Paloma, they’re both so incredible. Sam has been incredibly supportive of me. We clicked right away when we came together in London and it definitely helped me improve.

“He actually encouraged me not to use the guitar for the first section of the song, which was a great idea because it allowed me to work on my presence and navigate the stage a bit more. It  meant I could put everything I had into that final performance.”

Findlay admitted he was nervous for the grand finale but took comfort from the bond he had formed with the other participants.

“Getting to know the other finalists over the course of the show was really nice because we all got on and genuinely wanted each other to do well. I remember hearing them all sing for the first time and I felt a bit out of my depth because they were very good. I think I did struggle initially with a bit of self-doubt.

“The show was in the evening and there was filming during the day so we had a lot of build-up to it - that definitely added to the nerves. I was so focused on wanting to get the performance right.”

Before taking to the Hackney Empire stage, Findlay and the other contestants were given a special surprise.

“Getting out on stage was actually quite difficult because we didn’t know they were going to play footage of our journey before it. I stood in front of a TV screen with Alison Hammond before heading out and they put the footage on – it was just very emotional because it was my first time seeing anything edited together from the show. Seeing the clips of my parents really made me choke up a bit and I actually went out onto the stage with tears in my eyes, but thankfully I managed to pull myself together.”

“It was just an incredible feeling to see so many folk out there – the atmosphere was amazing. I can’t get over that moment when I started singing and performing to such a vibrant audience. The noise and the reception was unbelievable.

Findlay added: “I was delighted for Chantel when it was announced she was the winner, she has such an incredible voice and really deserved it.”

Reflecting on the overall experience, Findlay is grateful that he had support to help keep him focused on life at university.

He explained: “I’ve had to be really careful to make sure I didn’t get distracted with everything that’s been going on. It’s been exciting getting to do all the filming and meet different people, but university has been a constant reminder to get my head down and get my degree finished.

“My dissertation was actually due two days before the first episode of the show aired, so it’s been a hectic time. My sisters have been in my ear telling me to focus on my work and I know my parents would be the same.

“I’ve got so many big supporters in my corner that just want the best for me. The thing that’s meant the most to me is knowing that I’ve made people that I love and care about feel proud.”

Findlay added: “I’m so happy that I’ve managed to complete my degree with everything that’s been going on. I’m grateful for all the support from GCU, particularly during my final year. I’m now really excited to see what the future brings.”

The future certainly looks bright for Findlay, who was described as a ‘superstar’ by Paloma Faith during the show.

“Feedback like that from someone like Paloma really means a lot. I spoke to Sam and Paloma after the show and they gave me so much affirmation around my ability as a singer-songwriter. That gave me a lot of confidence and really helped build my belief for the future.

“I’m definitely now at the stage where I want to grab any opportunity that comes my way. I recently released my first single on Amazon Music, Spotify and Apple Music. It’s called Alone, and it’s done well so far, which is really encouraging.”

Findlay added: “Scottish Rugby have also reached out to me and asked me to sing at Murrayfield before the Scotland vs Australia game in November. Murrayfield holds such a special place in my heart; I’ve got a lot of really happy memories there with my dad.

“My sister and I do a lot of charity work with Worldwide Cancer Research, and we’re planning a charity live lounge themed gig for September. We’re looking to get local artists involved and a couple of bigger artists as well.

“It’s been an exciting time for me with Your Song and graduation, so I’m just really excited to see what the future has in store for me.”

You can watch Findlay on Your Song via Channel 4’s Website

You can also donate to the Williamson Legacy Fund here

By Ross Clark
Achieved something related to your course or in your personal life? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk