Watch: Edinburgh theatre legend Allan Stewart’s musical tribute to Captain Tom

The performer’s “Space Oddity” cover has garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

Allan Stewart has paid tribute to 100-year-old Captain Tom Moore with a cover of Ziggy Stardust’s “Space Oddity”.

A veteran of the Second World War, Captain Tom has raised more than £32 million for the NHS by walking lengths of his garden.

Now, Stewart’s music video, which opens with the line “This is ground control to Captain Tom”, has been watched more than 750,000 times across social media platforms.

Panto legend Allan Stewart has written a cover of "Space Oddity" in honour of Captain Tom Moore.

“This started out as an exercise to keep my mind active,” the comedian told the Evening News, “and now it’s taken on a life of its own.”

Now the panto favourite has officially released the song, after receiving thousands of requests - and says all proceeds will go to NHS Charities Together.

“I saw Captain Tom on the news first thing in the morning and my mind linked ‘Captain’ to ‘Major Tom’ and then during my walk I wrote the song,” the 69-year-old explained.

When he got home, the singer called on the help of his son, a music producer, to record the track.

The song is now available to buy on iTunes.

Asked why he believes Captain Tom has captured the public’s imagination, Stewart said: “I think it’s the old stiff upper lip mentality of the British.

“He says: ‘We’ll get through this’ - and he’s right, we will.”

Donations to Captain Tom’s efforts can be made here.