text: His son, film director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news and a statement was released 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. News of his death has prompted response across social media.
  According to a social media data analytics tool, by 0900 GMT there were over a million tweets globally, using the hashtag #Bowie. The top 10 trending Twitter tags included #RipDavidBowie, #DavidBowie and #Bowie and #legend.
  Fellow musicians have been sharing their sadness on social media. Marc Almond says he is "devastated":
  Comedian Ricky Gervais tweets of his loss, while fellow funny man Eddie Izzard has an upbeat message.
  And of course there are the the legions of Bowie fans who have told of their shock and sadness. Theresa McAllister shared how she felt when she first heard the news.
  Katherine, on Twitter, finds the positive in the sadness.
  A chance encounter at a bar in Wembley has stayed with Christine Mackenzie, as she shared on Facebook.
  And the conversations on Facebook continue with many fans recalling their encounters with the rockstar:
  And others made reference to his film work, which included playing Jareth The Goblin King in the 1986 Jim Henson movie Labyrinth.
  But mainly the word on repeat is "legend".
  Mel sums up the woes of growing older:
  And as if to prove that David Bowie's music was out of this world, British astronaut Tim Peake sent his thoughts from the International Space Station.
  Compiled by Alison Daye
target: Singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer.