David Bowie dead: Singer 'dies after 18-month battle with cancer'

 The singer has died 'peacefully', according to a statement issued on his official social media profiles

• Adam Withnall, Christopher Hooton 
• @adamwithnall 
• 49 seconds  ago
• 1 comment

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David Bowie's Lazarus is hotly-awaited by critics Getty Images

David Bowie has died surrounded by his family following an 18-month battle with cancer.

A statement was issued across the musician's official social media profiles, asking the public to respect the "family's privacy during their time of grief".

Bowie's followers largely rejected the statement as a "hoax", but Sky News reported it had spoken to the singer's publicist to confirm the news.

The statement on Facebook read: "January 10 2016 - 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."

Bowie's death comes just two days after he released his 25th and final album '★' (Blackstar).