Duncan Jones wrote on Twitter: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all".

Statements were posted on the star's official Facebook and Twitter accounts saying the star died on Sunday.

Bowie, born David Jones in London in 1947, was one of Britain's most successful, pioneering and influential songwriters for four decades.

Here, we look at back at his life and amazing career through pictures.

File photo dated 09/07/02 of David Bowie and his wife Iman | Image: Yui Mok / PA Wire/Press Association Images

In this September 17th 1980 file photo, David Bowie listens during a news conference after a rehearsal at the Booth Theatre in New York | Image: Marty Lederhandler / AP/Press Association Images

File photo dated 01/12/93 of Diana Princess of Wales shaking hands with pop superstar David Bowie | Image: Martin Keene / PA Wire/Press Association Images

File photo dated 01/01/74 of David Bowie | Image: PA / PA Wire/Press Association Images

File photo dated 17/11/03 of Debbie Harry with David Bowie | Image: PA / PA Wire/Press Association Images

David Bowie with his two backing singers performing at Live Aid| Image: PA / PA Archive/PA Images

File photo dated 03/019/02 of David Bowie| Image: Andy Butterton / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Singer David Bowie at the premiere of 'Live and Let Die', Odeon Leicester Square, London in 1973 | Image: PA / PA Archive/PA Images