'I like it' - X-Files' Duchovny finally hears Catatonia tribute song

Catatonia's song Mulder and Scully, celebrating the character played by David Duchovny, was released in 1998

The X-Files star David Duchovny has finally heard the tribute song to the hit TV show by '90s pop band Catatonia - and given it his approval.

The actor starred as Agent Fox Mulder in the series, which was celebrated in the Welsh band's song Mulder and Scully, a number three UK hit in 1998.

The anthem became a firm favourite for fans of the Cerys Matthews-fronted band and viewers of the US science-fiction show.

Duchovny, 65, was asked during an interview with BBC Radio Wales whether he had heard it before - and admitted he had not.

"I don't think I have. I know that it exists. I feel like I've seen a CD of it, I can almost envisage the album art, but I can't remember ever having heard it," he told host Lucy Owen.

Welsh band Catatonia released four albums between 1996 and 2001

The song references the fictional FBI special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who was played by Gillian Anderson.

The duo were the principal characters in The X-Files which ran from 1993 to 2002 and from 2016 to 2018, and inspired two feature films.

Catatonia's music video featured lookalikes of the detectives searching a concert venue with torches while the band performed.

In the 1990s, the success of Welsh bands like Catatonia, the Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics was at the centre of a movement known as 'Cool Cymru'.

But, 27 years since the release of Mulder and Scully, one of the main inspirations for the song had not listened to it - until now.

"I can tell you right now, I've never heard that," Duchovny said after being played the song.

"I would have remembered that if I had heard it. It is catchy. I like it."

Duchovny, who has also recorded three albums as a singer-songwriter and written four novels, said he would "revisit" the song and would like to hear it "blasted" through speakers - but would not put it on his playlist for now.