David Bowie dead at 69 after 18-month cancer battle

Legendary singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer.

The news was confirmed by Bowie's son Duncan Jones and a statement was released last night (January 10) on his official social media accounts.

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said.

"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 only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday last Friday, Janaury 8. Find out how the record is performing on the Official Albums Chart Update today at 5.30pm.

Bowie was born in London in 1947. He released 25 studio albums over a career spanning over six decades and a range of musical styles, including iconic hits such as Changes, Let's Dance, Heroes and Space Oddity, and albums such as The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972), Hunky Dory (1972), and Diamond Dogs (1974).

To date, he has scored 61 Top 40 singles, including five Number 1s, and 44 Top 40 albums, nine of which hit the top spot. Click here to see where all of David Bowie's singles and albums have charted in the UK. 

Bowie also starred in movies including The Man Who Fell to Earth and Labyrinth. He co-wrote Lazarus, a play inspired by The Man Who Fell to Earth that recently opened on Broadway.

Last night it was announced that Bowie would be honoured at Carnegie Hall on March 31 by acts including The Roots, The Mountain Goats, Cyndi Lauper, Perry Farrell, Jakob Dylan, and Heart's Ann Wilson.

Click through all of David Bowie's studio album covers below:

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