IT is one of the most recognsible scores on TV and now Glasgow University has paid tribute to a former student who composed the Downton Abbey opening titles. 

The university showed just how proud they are of alumni John Lunn by posting a video on social media of his success this week. It comes on the back of the new Downton Abbey movie being released in cinemas. 

In the video, the 63-year-old explained where his inspiration came from for the opening credits tunes.

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He said: "In the very first episode there was no title sequence and the very first scene in episode one started off with a train going through the English countryside so, rather predictably, I had this sort of train-like motion and then there was a slightly forlorn-looking man looking out the window of the train and I picked out a kind of lonely piano tune on the top.

"We were following the telegram wires which was carrying information that the heir to Downton Abbey had been drowned on the Titanic and then eventually we arrive at a grand picture of a house where the harmony expands and is quite a bit more pompous.

"I wrote a 30-second version of it for the titles for episode two and then they put the pictures to the titles."

Dr Louise Harris, who is a senior lecturer in Audiovisual Practices at the University of Glasgow, said: "In addition to Downton Abbey, John's also known for his work on BBC adaptations of Charles Dickens. He did a fantastic Bleak House a few years back and Little Dorrit. He's also worked on Grantchester and Shetland."

John studied at the university from 1974 to 1978 where he achieved a Bachelor of Music degree.

He said: "It was one of the happiest times of my life at Glasgow University and it completely made me. 

"I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today if I hadn't gone there."

Dr Harris added: "John's a really supportive, engaged and very proud alumnus of Glasgow and one of the ways in which he stays connected with us is he had funded a postgraduate scholarship for a current postgraduate student in music to enable them to dedicate their time to their studies. 

"So congratulations John on the release of the Downton Abbey film from all of us at the University of Glasgow. We're really looking forward to seeing it."

The British historical drama depicts the lives of the Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era. The show ran for six seasons and the new movie was released on September 13.