David Bowie Dead: Legendary Rockstar Passes Away at 69 

David Bowie dead: Legendary rocker passes away aged 69 following courageous 18 month battle with cancer

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Rock superstar David Bowie died early today aged 69, his family and representatives have confirmed.

A message was posted onto his official social media accounts today, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, confirming the heartbreaking news.

It read: "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."

David\'s son, film director Duncan Jones, 44, also confirmed the news via his Twitter account.

Underneath a touching picture of himself as a toddler being carried by his famous father, he wrote: "Very sorry and sad to say it\'s true. I\'ll be offline for a while. Love to all."

Mirror Online contacted David\'s spokespeople for comment and they sadly also confirmed the news.

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

An official statement read: "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 news comes just three days after his 69th birthday, which he marked with the release of a new album, Blackstar.

David\'s super model wife Iman is yet to comment on the heartbreaking news, however, yesterday she shared a cryptic post reading: "The struggle is real, but so is God."

The couple, who have 15-year-old daughter Alexandria together, have been married since 1992.

Prior to this relationship, the rocker was married from 1970-1980 to Angie Bowie, who is currently living in the Celebrity Big Brother house and has been speaking openly about their time together.

While David\'s personal life has often made national headlines, he is and will always be best known for his iconic contribution to music.

Born David Robert, the singer decided to embrace a stage a name just before the release of his debut record Man of Words, Man of Music in 1967, renaming himself after 19th Century American frontiersman Jim Bowie and the knife he made famous.

Shortly afterwards, he met his first wife Angie, who was working at his record label. The pair hit it off instantly and she then had a huge impact on his career, even helping to create his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust.

In 1972, an appearance on Top Of The Pops embedded his Ziggy Stardust person and rocketed his level of fame.

Opening up about hwy he decided to create the character, he explained: "Offstage I\'m a robot. Onstage I achieve emotion. It\'s probably why I prefer dressing up as Ziggy to being David."

David went on to produce 25 studio albums and eight live albums.

David Bowie has tragically died according to reports.

The legendary icon passed away in the early hours of this morning, aged 69.

A message was posted onto his official social media accounts today, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, confirming the heartbreaking news:  "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."

Kate Garraway was one of the first to pay her respect to David Bowie.

"So sad to hear the news David Bowie has died - his music coloured all our lives - a true legend . RIP," she tweeted.

In another post, she described the star as the "master of reinvention".

So sad to hear the news #DavidBowie has died - his music coloured all our lives - a true legend . RIP

— Kate Garraway (@kategarraway) January 11, 2016  

I\'m A Celebrity star Carl Fogarty admitted he had no idea David was ill.

Taking to his Twitter account, he wrote: "Morning..shocked and sad to hear that David Bowie had died.

"Didn\'t even know he was ill..!! RIP David. Legend."

Morning..shocked and sad to hear that David Bowie had died.. Didn't even know he was ill..!! #RIPDavid #Legend

Just hours after hosting the Golden Globe Awards, Ricky Gervais tweeted after as soon as he heard the tragic news.

He posted: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

The star then followed up the message by reposting David\'s son Duncan Jones\' post confirming his father\'s death.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016  

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