A Scots Church organist who has become an internet sensation after his musical tribute to David Bowie went viral says he is “overwhelmed” by the experience.

Nearly two million people worldwide have watched a video of Christopher Nickol playing the rock star’s track “Life on Mars” on an organ in Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow.

The video, recorded after news of the icon's death spread yesterday, has also been shared on Facebook nearly 45,000 times.

Mr Nickol, the director of music at New Kilpatrick Parish Church in Bearsden, explained he had grown up with the London-born star’s music and, upon hearing that he had passed away following an 18-month battle with cancer, thought it would be appropriate to honour his memory during his usual lunchtime recital.

The musician, who regularly plays at Kelvingrove, said: “David Bowie wrote some very good songs and after I heard on the news that he had died I thought I would play a tribute to him as yesterday happened to be one of my days there.

“I remember hearing Life on Mars when it first came out in the early 1970s so I know it well and it is a great song.

“I felt it would go well on the organ because it is a slow song, very melodic and has interesting harmony and chords."

The accompanist at Bearsden Choir also told of the reaction that his performance brought, adding: “The crowd wasn’t very big but there was a very strong round of applause and the art gallery staff later told me that some people had reacted quite emotionally."

Soon after he had finished playing, the clip was posted to Facebook by Milngavie-based art gallery owner Gordon Wilson, and, Mr Nickol said the attention since has been positive but "quite alarming."

He added: “Bowie meant a lot to a lot of people, but it wasn’t until last night that I found out that somebody had filmed me playing and posted the video on Facebook.

“Nearly one million people had watched it by 11pm, which is quite alarming - I am overwhelmed by the response.”

The Rev Roddy Hamilton, minister at New Kilpatrick Parish Church, said: "He is very creative and he does that regularly on a Sunday morning – he has a real passion for it and people should come along and hear for themselves.”