Some breaking news to us just now this morning. It's been confirmed that David Bowie, singer and musician, has died at the age of 69 this morning. Yes, that news just in the last couple of moments or so. A report saying that he had been suffering from cancer. A career, of course, so many of you will know David Bowie, spanning several decades, had a profound influence. He didn't hear your music and fashion, and also as well a really successful acting career as well. But that sad news this morning just reported. It's been confirmed that the British pop star David Bowie has died at the age of 69. Yes, it's been confirmed by his publicist this morning and online by his sun Duncan Jones. Of course, David Bowie, a giant really in the world of pop music and in drama, as well, but particularly groundbreaking with his albums like Ziggy Stardust, a loud insane, honky-dory, he really sort of set the pace for so many other singers and musicians in the 70s particularly. And only just recently releasing a new album as well. In 1973, I mean, many people thought he was quitting music, but it was Ziggy Stardust, that he resigned as sort of in 1973, wasn't it? Changes his persona over so many decades, but such a huge influence on music for so many years as well. We do know he had been unwell for some time, but he had produced an album just recently called Black Star, although it sort of said to be fairly melancholy and just came out a few days ago. But sadly, we have the news this morning that David Bowie has now passed away. That news was originally announced on his Twitter account and then confirmed as well by his son on Twitter, as well, saying that it was true and that he had been suffering from cancer for some time. Well, let's take a moment to look back on David Bowie's life. His report from Mark Reckless. When Bowie made this announcement in 1973, many in the audience assumed he was quitting music, but it was only as alter ego Ziggy Stardust who bowed out that night. This is ground control to major tongue. It was just the first of a series of changes of persona, which would both entrant and bewilder his fans. Born David Jones in South London, he performed both music and mind before a psychedelic, tinged folk number gave him his first major hit. A subsequent album, Honky Dory, spawned this hit single with what was to become a trademark video. But it was the incarnation of Ziggy Stardust, the Androgenous Bisexual Rockstar from another planet, that brought him star status and broke him in America. I got really comfortable going on stage with some of the others, and it seemed a rational decision to keep on doing that. And so I got quite besotted with the idea of just creating character onto character. A move to America brought Bowie into contact with the New York Art Rock movement and performers like Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. It also introduced Bowie to soul music, and he redesigned his entire stage show Mid-Tour to reflect yet another change of direction. If you take this assignment, you'll have complete authority. His time in America also saw his first film role in the man who felt a worth. Nick Rogues' tale of an alien visiting. It was Perth at Casting. By it? At Cost Natural. Tiring of American access, he moved to Germany, where he teamed up with the avant-garde musician Brian Eno. The result, three critically acclaimed albums that probably represent Bowie's most creative period. He also produced a series of innovative videos, which helped fuel the MTV generation. Let's Dance became his most successful album, thanks to stylish videos for Let's Dance and China Girl, which turned both songs into top ten hits. He was not, however, entirely comfortable with his commercial success. Artistically and aesthetically, it was probably my lowest point. I don't need any help. Let's get it. I've practiced walking for years. His music career stalled in the mid-80s, although he won critical acclaim for his role as a prisoner of war in Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence. I don't need that. Musicale the decade ended with Tim Machine, a short-lived and critically panned four-piece rock band. The 1990s saw a revival. He saw the potential of the internet to deliver music very early on, releasing his single Lies from the Earthling album as a download. It was another example of how this multi-talented performer was always ready to strike out in new directions and reinvent both himself and his music. So just to confirm that breaking news for you this morning's very sad news, David Bowie has died at the age of 69 after a battle against cancer. Yes, that news announced this morning on his official Twitter page, and I'll just read to you briefly what it said. It said, David Bowie died peacefully today, surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer. It went on to say, well, many of you will share in this loss. We asked that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief, and it was also confirmed by his son as well. This is what he had to say this morning from Duncan Jones. Very sorry and to say, it's true, I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. So obviously, we have much more on this story throughout the rest of the program, but let's bring the rest of the morning's news as well now at 10 past seven. More than 20,000 insurance.