Bowie appearance thrills fans

He also took the opportunity to satisfy his tastes in UK television and music by stocking up on videos and CDs to take back to his New York home.

The singer met 150 fans at an HMV store in central London - but another 850 were locked out after being unable to get their hands on tickets.

Meanwhile, he also announced that he is to continue his intimate gatherings with a concert for BBC Radio 2 in front of just 100 fans.

He did not perform at the HMV appearance, preferring to sign copies of his latest album, Heathen, and chat to fans.

"I've followed him since the early 70s," said Alex Sankey, a fan who had caught the overnight coach from Bolton, Lancashire, to meet his idol.

"I followed him all over and he's always an absolute gentleman, he's always very good to us."

Bowie had a long chat with the policeman in charge of the Oxford Street area - who queued up with the other fans.

"I just told him that I've still got a silk scarf and T-shirt from when I went to see him at Stafford's Bingley Hall in 1976," Metropolitan Police Inspector Ian Larnder said.

"He's just such a versatile performer. He could've belched in Portuguese at one point and I would have bought it."

TV classics

As well as meeting fans, Bowie bought copies of hit UK comedy shows by the League of Gentleman, Morecambe and Wise and Peter Kay.

He also picked up children's classics Paddington Bear, Andy Pandy and Muffin The Mule for his two-year-old daughter, Alexandria.

"It was the sort of stuff you just can't get in the US," said a spokesman for the store.

Bowie was recently given a surprise nomination for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.

He will find out whether he has won on Tuesday, 17 September - the day before he is due to record the intimate concert for BBC Radio 2.

The show, to be introduced by Jonathan Ross, will be broadcast on Saturday, 5 October.

"He is one of the most influential and enigmatic performers of the last 30 years - a true icon - and will deliver a memorable broadcast for the network," said Lewis Carnie, executive producer for BBC Live Music.