David Bowie has died at the age of 69 after an 18 month battle with cancer, his son has confirmed.
A statement on the rock star's official Facebook page said he died yesterday.
The statement said: "January 10 2016 - David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief."
The singer's official Twitter account confirmed the news.
January 10 2016 - David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle... https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 11, 2016
Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016
His son, film director Duncan Jones, tweeted: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."
David Bowie and his wife Iman
Bowie released his latest album, Blackstar, just three days ago, and his ex-wife, Angie Bowie, is currently a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother.
The 69-year-old's death was confirmed by his agent, Steve Martin.
Bowie made a surprise comeback in 2013 when he suddenly released a new single on his 66th birthday with an album out just weeks later, his first for 10 years.
The star made a habit of confounding the critics - killing off his most famous creation, Ziggy Stardust, at the height of his fame - and reinventing himself in roles including glam rocker, soul singer and hippie songwriter.
Bowie, born David Jones in post-war Brixton, south London, kicked off his music career in the R&B boom of the early Sixties.
In 1969 he made his first appearance in the charts with Space Oddity.
A string of albums followed, before 1972's The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars made him an international star.
The 1980s saw him combine his pop career with appearances in films including Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence and Absolute Beginners.
Read: David Bowie: One of Britain's most successful and pioneering musicians
Read: Watch David Bowie's poignant final video: "Look up here, I'm in heaven"
Read: Take a look at our pictures when David Bowie played Glasgow's SECC in 2003
Fans including Nicola Sturgeon and Edith Bowman have paid tribute to Bowie on Twitter.
NO. This is the saddest news. https://t.co/GTml1Zm28E
— edith bowman (@edibow) January 11, 2016
What dreadful news about David Bowie. A hero for so much more than just one day. RIP https://t.co/3gfD1QDwrW
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 11, 2016
Can't believe David Bowie is gone. In my mind he's been the same age my entire life.
— Blair McDougall (@blairmcdougall) January 11, 2016
Absolutely shocked and saddened at death of my hero David Bowie. Always ahead of the game and a true pioneer. A real class act.
— Lorraine (@reallorraine) January 11, 2016
Sad, sad news about #DavidBowie. RIP. There's a star man waiting in the sky...
— Pietro Panarisi (@Pietro_Panarisi) January 11, 2016
What sad news!!! RIP #DavidBowie 😭
— Nats (@NatsDXB92) January 11, 2016
Made a ridiculously loud shocked squeak when I heard David Bowie was dead. Doesn't even seem possible.
— Karen Barclay (@BookArrowHeart) January 11, 2016
It's only forever. Not long at all. RIP David Bowie :(
— The Movie Quiz (@tmqpdx) January 11, 2016
RIP david bowie. what a legend.
— .. (@ghostillusion) January 11, 2016
what a way to go, david bowie. with an album that's much of a force of nature as you were. RIP.
— Sandhya Menon (@TheRestlessQuil) January 11, 2016
David Bowie meant everything to me. Like millions of others, he defined my teenage years. A genuine gift to the world. I am so sad this am.
— Jo Elvin (@jo_elvin) January 11, 2016
Bowie's ex-wife Angie is currently appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and has been discussing her marriage to the star.
Many social media users initially claimed that Bowie's social media accounts had been hacked and the reports were a hoax.
@DavidBowieReal @ADBremner According to what I have read this is another sick hoax
— jacquie johnstone (@YES2ForScotland) January 11, 2016
@DavidBowieReal it's another death hoax everyone calm down!
— Ilana Steinberg (@lanibirdtweets) January 11, 2016
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