EXCITEMENT soared through the campus at Swindon College when renowned singer-songwriter and former student Gilbert O’Sullivan dropped into the college’s School of Art.

And there was no chance of the old Swindonian being Alone Again as students jostled to Get Down with the seventies star.

The visit formed part of a whistle-stop tour of Swindon, which saw Gilbert filmed by the BBC’s The One Show as he revisited a number of key locations in the town which all played a significant part in his time growing up here.

A graphic design student in the mid-sixties, Gilbert was predominately based at the college’s former Regent Circus campus, but as he stepped through the doors of the current School of Art based at North Star he quickly recalled his time as a student.

‘’I have fond memories of my time at Swindon College’’ he told staff and students.

‘‘I didn’t like school, but I loved the art college.’’

After a tour of the department Gilbert took the opportunity to look around the art studios to admire the work of current art and design students ahead of their end of year show.

He even brought a painting along with him that he had created during his time at the college.

‘‘I’ve kept a few pieces of artwork from my time at Swindon College,’’ said Gilbert.

‘’I enjoyed creating them very much, so I like to keep them.’’

Gilbert who was born in Waterford, Ireland, was voted No.1 UK male singer by Record Mirror in 1972.

Worldwide he has charted 16 top 40 records, including six number one songs, the first of which was Nothing Rhymed.

Such was his popularity in the early 1970s that Matrimony, an airplay and favourite from his debut album Himself, remains one of his most famous compositions despite never having been a hit single.

Gilbert's most successful recording period was between 1970 and 1980 although he has continued to record albums up until last year.

He has always said writing pop songs was all he ever wanted to do and all he continues to want to do.

The film will be aired on BBC1’s The One Show in the coming weeks.