Rhys Wynne-Jones’ life has changed beyond recognition in the past two years.
Known as The Nightchurch Pianist, Rhys, who was homeless for more than a decade, now receives voicenotes from Peter Andre.
At the Pride of Britain Awards last year, he shared stories of his hometown with Ronnie Wood; received Red Carpet tips from Chesney Hawkes; and chatted to Carol Vorderman and the cast of EastEnders, among others.
Just a few weeks after rubbing shoulders with the stars at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, he finally secured a place he can call home after moving into a new Coastline Housing development in west Cornwall.
Rhys, aged 34, first stepped into the public domain in January 2024 after his impromptu performance of Bohemian Rhapsody at Penzance’s St Mary’s Church went viral on facebook.
Whilst living rough in Penzance, he walked into St Mary’s Church and asked if he could play the piano – not as a performance, but to help him cope.
“There is a lot of noise in my head, but when I play piano my head goes quiet, I feel calm. It feels different from anything I do. I feel like I need to do it,” he said.
Rhys received a standing ovation from the audience on that winter’s night and has since enjoyed numerous ovations for his performances all over the country, after officially becoming The Nightchurch Pianist in the summer of 2024.
When he was first recognised as The Nightchurch Pianist he was living two lives – on the streets and as a local celebrity. He had no idea his talent would become a nationwide phenomenon.
He continued to live in temporary accommodation in Pool, having spent time at St Petroc’s following a period of homelessness in Penzance.
Rhys had moved to Cornwall with his family in 2008, but when his parents divorced, he found himself without a home.
He returned to his native Kent, where he lived in work accommodation during his time in the Army, and later as a holiday park entertainer. Early evidence of his ability to perform came when he won an award from Park Holidays UK in his first season.
The reality of his situation was very different though.
“I was trying to carry on, but I was hanging by a thread and ended up on the streets. I wandered for a bit, but I felt so broken,” he said.
“Every day I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was trying to navigate pain that we don’t feel in society, trying to deal with a crippling lack of self-worth.
“It’s a common misconception that homelessness signals an individual’s failure. There is such a variety of backgrounds and circumstances - and it’s that which has failed them.”
Rhys’ interest in the piano began after he was inspired by his sister’s singing lessons as a child. More than 25 years later, he has raised around £40,000 for charity since his night church performance 18 months ago.
He has collaborated with Aussie pop prince Peter Andre on a television pilot and has a series of gigs planned in a variety of venues including a theatre production in Bristol.
His manual dexterity is not the sum of his skills – as part of his act he recites all the countries of the world, the elements of the periodic table, and the first 100 digits of maths number Pi. He even raps.
“I don’t see myself as a professional pianist or a celebrity figure. I only need enough money to cover my expenses – I just love to play the piano to raise money for homeless charities and good causes,” he said.
Life in his new home is quite simple – he practises on his Roland keyboard, works, eats and sleeps. His time trying to survive on the streets is now firmly behind him, but those bleak memories continue to motivate him to help and inspire others.
He added: “I need to heal, because the pain doesn’t end just because you’ve got a key. People don’t find it easy to go back to the system which broke them in the first place.
“If you’re homeless, you sit outside of the world. If you want to know what the world looks like after you’ve died, sleep on the streets. It just goes on without you.”