Beckenham’s most famous rock star David Bowie has died following an 18-month battle with cancer.

According to a statement on his official Facebook page, the glam-rock singer died yesterday, surrounded by his loved ones.

A tweet posted on his verified Twitter account also linked to the announcement.

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."

MAP: 17 south east London places where David Bowie lived, learned and played

His son, film director Duncan Jones tweeted: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."

Bowie released his latest album, Blackstar, just three days ago, and his ex-wife, Angie Bowie, is currently a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother.

The 69-year-old's death was confirmed by his agent, Steve Martin.

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BECKENHAM BEGINNINGS

Veteran music star Bowie was born in Brixton in 1947 before moving to Beckenham at the age of six.

He attended Burnt Ash Junior school in Bromley before going on to perform at many of the borough’s nightspots in his early career.

In recent years, Bowie had supported efforts to restore the bandstand at the Croydon Road Recreation Ground in Beckenham, where he once performed in 1969 - the same year he first appeared in the charts with Space Oddity.

The star helped to organise the free gig to encourage donations for the Beckenham Arts Lab – a group project he’d formed.

The event is celebrated as a cultural milestone and Bowie wrote about the experience in the single Memory of a Free Festival.

A string of albums followed, before 1972's The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars made him an international star.

'I sold him a grand piano for £50': Memories of rock star David Bowie in Bromley borough

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The star made a habit of confounding the critics - killing off his most famous creation, Ziggy Stardust, at the height of his fame - and reinventing himself in roles including glam rocker, soul singer and hippie songwriter.

The 1980s saw him combine his pop career with appearances in films including Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence and Absolute Beginners.

Bowie made a surprise comeback in 2013 when he suddenly released a new single on his 66th birthday with an album out just weeks later, his first for 10 years.

TRIBUTES

Tributes to the star have been pouring in on social media since news of his death broke, this morning. 

The Friends of Croydon Road Recreation Ground shared this photo of the singer performing on the Beckenham bandstand in 1969.

Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, who convinced his long-time idol to star as himself - and ridicule Gervais - in an episode of 2006 sitcom Extras, wrote simply: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

He also uploaded an image of himself from the late 1990s dressed as Bowie's famous alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, taken from the comedian's 30-minute Comedy Lab episode in which Gervais played the part of a Bowie impersonator.

Australian actor Russell Crowe, referencing one of Bowie's better known singles which featured on covers album Pin Ups 1973, wrote: "RIP David. I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived. #sorrow."

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, quoting Bowie's Eight Line Poem from 1971's Hunky Dory, added: "But the key to the city is in the sun that pins the branches to the sky..."

Radio DJ Fearne Cotton wrote on Instagram: "Devastated. There will only ever be one David Bowie.

"A pioneer, a maverick and a visionary. I've been so inspired by him and his intent on doing what he wants without thought of judgment and views of others. RIP to one of the last icons."

BBC 6 Music's Lauren Laverne said: "Still in shock, this is a huge loss to everyone who loves music. We'll be on air at 10. Tell us what you want to hear and we'll do our best."

Politicians, led by Mr Cameron, also shared their memories of the Heroes singer.

Culture Secretary John Whittingdale wrote: "Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of David Bowie: a unique and extraordinary talent whose influence was felt around the world."

Business Secretary Savid Javid said: "David Bowie brought great joy to me and many millions across the world. An iconic British artist that will be sorely missed. RIP."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Terrible news to hear Brixton-born David Bowie has died. No-one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that Bowie was a "great musician, great entertainer".

"As soon as I heard of his death, very, very sad, Life On Mars comes flowing back into my mind. Wonderful song, wonderful guy."

Former Number 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell tweeted a memory about Bowie and a former Prime Minister.

He said: "Only two times I saw Tony Blair star struck were when he met David Bowie at Brits and Barbra Streisand in a make up room. Star goes out RIP."

Do you have any memories of David Bowie in Bromley and Beckenham? Share them by emailing harriet.collier@london.newsquest.co.uk or patrickgg@london.newsquest.co.uk.