LEGENDARY singer David Bowie has died after an 18-month battle with cancer.

The 69-year-old’s rep confirmed the shock news to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday afternoon (AEDT), with statements also being released on the singer’s website and social media pages.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer,” read the statement. “While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”

The “Modern Love” singer leaves behind his supermodel wife Iman and two children, son Duncan and daughter Alexandria.

Duncan, 44, a director and screenwriter, confirmed the news on Twitter.

“Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all,” he posted along with a black-and-white photo of his father holding him as a child.

Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016

Iman, who married Bowie in 1992, posted an inspirational message on Twitter yesterday — an image with the quote, “The struggle is real — but so is God”.

News of Bowie’s death evoked an immediate outpouring of messages on social media from both fans and celebrities.

Only hours after wrapping his hosting duties at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards, Ricky Gervais tweeted his sympathies.

“I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie,” he wrote.

Russell Crowe also tweeted his condolences.

“RIP David. I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived. #sorrow,” he wrote.

I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie. — Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016

RIP David . I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived. #sorrow — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) January 11, 2016

Bowie’s death comes just three days after his 69th birthday, which he marked with the release of a new album, Blackstar.

The album, which scored positive reviews from critics, was his first since his 2013 smash The Next Day.

Born David Robert Jones in 1947, Bowie gained extreme popularity in the 1970s with his androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust and albums The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders From Mars.

During his 40-year-career, he sold an estimated 140 million albums and turned down a knighthood in 2003.

He was married to Angela “Angie” Bowie from 1970 to 1980 and the pair had a son Zowie, who later changed his name to Duncan.

Marrying Iman in 1992, they have a daughter Alexandria Zahra Jones, born in 2000. Bowie once said he “was naming the children the first night we met”.

Not just a star on the music scene, Bowie also appeared in acclaimed roles on the big screen, such as The Hunger (1983), Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) and Labyrinth (1986).

Receiving critical praise for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, The New York Times described his performance as “mercurial and arresting” in a 1983 review:

Leave your tributes to Bowie in the comments below.

For a look back at David Bowie’s legendary career, check out the gallery below: