WITH his flamboyant style and haunting voice, David Bowie was one of the biggest music icons of all time.
But fans around the world were left shocked when the Let's Dance star passed away aged 69.
How did David Bowie die?
David Bowie sadly died of liver cancer, just two days after his 69th birthday.
He had been diagnosed 18 months earlier but had not made his condition public, and kept it from a lot of his friends.
Belgian theatre director Ivo van Hove, who had worked with Bowie on his off-Broadway musical Lazarus leading up to his death, explained that he was unable to attend rehearsals towards the end, due to the progression of the disease.
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However he noted that the singer had kept working during the early stages of his illness
When did David Bowie die?
David died on January 10, 2016 at his New York City apartment
His Facebook page posted this message at the time: "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."
What tributes were made to David Bowie after his death?
Millions of music fans including the biggest names in showbiz were left mourning following the death of Bowie.
At the time admirers ranging from the Prime Minister, to Paul McCartney, to film stars, all joined a worldwide outpouring of grief.
Most were stunned by the total secrecy surrounding the Ziggy Stardust singer’s deteriorating health.
Mick Jagger, who teamed up with Bowie for 1985 single Dancing in the Street, said: “David was always an inspiration to me and a true original.
“He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together. He was my friend. I will never forget him.”
Surviving Beatles, Paul and Ringo Starr paid their respects.
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Macca tweeted: "Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning.
"David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together."
While Ringo added: "God bless David Bowie peace and love to all his family."
PM at the time David Cameron tweeted: “I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention. A huge loss.”
News of Bowie’s death led to a series of impromptu shrines, at his childhood home, his New York apartment, the London street where the Ziggy Stardust album cover was shot and a Dutch museum.
In his birthplace of Brixton, South London, flowers and candles were left by a mural of the cover of his classic album Aladdin Sane, featuring Bowie with a lightning zig-zag across his face
One note read simply: “The stars look very different today’” — a line from Space Oddity."
