Stephen Hawking Covers Monty Python Classic

Last year he appeared on film during Monty Python's live shows, but now Professor Stephen Hawking can be heard covering one of the comedy troupe's classic songs.

The physicist sings the famous Galaxy Song, which is being released digitally this week and will be available on vinyl this weekend as part of Record Store Day 2015.

In the video, the A Brief History Of Time author can be seen whizzing through space in his wheelchair, while the footage is interspersed with scenes of the Monty Python live shows.

One of the cult comedy act's members Eric Idle tweeted to let people know about the record.

He wrote: "Stephen Hawking Sings Monty Python. The Galaxy Song digital download & video has now been released.

"The limited edition 7" vinyls will be on sale on Saturday 18th April in UK and US as part of Record Store Day 2015."

A novelty online game has also been released in which players are invited to "destroy all Monty Python asteroids before they collide with Stephen Hawking".

Prof Hawking, 73, appeared on film alongside Professor Brian Cox as part of the live shows featuring John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Idle last year as the group performed together for the first time in decades at London's O2 Arena.

The world-famous theoretical physicist, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease shortly after his 21st birthday, showed his comedy credentials earlier this year when he took part in a Comic Relief sketch alongside David Walliams in the grounds of Cambridge University.

Eddie Redmayne won a best actor Oscar in February for playing Prof Hawking in The Theory Of Everything.