ROCK legend David Bowie has died after suffering cancer for 18 months.

The singer died surrounded by his loved ones, a statement on his Facebook page said this morning.

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."

The singer, one of the most respected and adored artists the UK has produced, performed in St George's Hall in Bradford on his Ziggy Stardust tour in 1973 and on his Tin Machine tour in 1989.

Bowie's 1989 Bradford appearance in front of 2,000 screaming fans came with a warning to stay away from drugs.

Halfway through the gig, the blonde-quiffed star waved his arms and told his followers not to "screw round" with the hard stuff before launching into Sacrifice Yourself.

"This is called Sacrifice Yourself - but don't sacrifice yourself to drugs," he told them.

The megastar had walked on stage lighting a cigarette and cheers shook the hall when the yelling crowd saw the then 42-year-old with his white acoustic guitar slung over his shoulders.

He had last been at St George's in 1973 and told fans "it hasn't changed a bit."

There was no special lighting effects at the 1989, just sparse white, red and blue backlights and four overhead lamps with a plain white canvas backdrop.

Four hours before the show started, around 100 fans had crowded round the stage door to watch the arrival of the rock legend.

Anyone who dared to blink would have missed it as his tour bus pulled up and he hopped off quickly in sunglasses, dressed in a baggy cricket sweater flanked by security, and smiled briefly before disappearing into the hall.

In a bid to beat the touts, news spread there were 50 extra tickets at the Box Office and queues quickly built up, but the spares went quickly and by 7.30pm that night a pair of tickets worth £16 was going for £100.

This morning Bowie's 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, whose extensive back catalogue includes hits like Starman, Let's Dance and Ashes to Ashes, released his latest album, Blackstar, just three days ago. He was also known for his film appearances as Jareth the Goblin King in Labrynth and as the lead role in The Man Who Fell to Earth.

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

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.

Bowie, born David Jones in post-war Brixton, south London, kicked off his music career in the R&B boom of the early Sixties.

In 1969 he made his first appearance in the charts with Space Oddity.

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.

In the 1980s he combined his pop career with appearances in films including Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence and Absolute Beginners.

On hearing the news Councillor Ralph Berry, executive for Children's and Adults Services on Bradford Council, Tweeted: "I will be playing Heroes, my favourite ever single..loud. Farewell to the thin white duke."

Bradford's Broadway HMV record store sold out of Bowie's latest and last album Blackstar soon after its doors opened for business this morning.
Manager John Chapple, 43, said the album, which was only released on Friday the same day as the singer songwriter's birthday, was in such demand it had almost disappeared off its shelves by the end of the weekend.
"I can't divulge how many copies we had but after today's sad news they've all gone now. Every time I sold one I've been in tears, I'm a life-long Bowie fan. He is the most culturally significant icon of the 20th century."