Gary Oldman gave an emotional tribute to David Bowie at the Brit Awards tonight, remembering him as a "husband, father, friend and an artist of transcendent talent".

Following Annie Lennox on stage, the Batman actor remembered his close friend with some heartwarming stories of his past.

Thanking the fans for their continuing support, he said: "We are all coming to terms with the magnitude of David's passing.

"The Jones family lost a husband and a father, those closest to him lost a dear friend, and the world lost a man and an artist of transcendent talent."

(Image: ITV)

Thanking Annie for her own words of support, Gary praised David's influence in the music industry.

He added: "He was the very definition, the living embodiment, of that singular word icon."

And Gary continued: "I am so deeply touched and honoured to be here tonight to accept this award for David and his family."

The star shared a series of memories with the crowd, to huge applause, and said: "In his very unique way he reminded us to never take ourselves too seriously."

He continued: "David was funny, he was hilariously so, the laughs were many and massive and I shall miss them."

(Image: Splash)

And opening up about David's final days as he battled cancer, Gary said: "David faced his illness with dignity, grace and his customary humour. Even in dire circumstances. When he wrote to tell me he had cancer, he said 'the good news is I have my cheekbones back'. David, you were mortal but your potential was superhuman and your remarkable music is living on. We love you and we thank you."

Annie introduced Gary and praised David as a "vital" artist.

She said: "For me it's almost impossible to think of him in the past tense. Everything he did was vital and incredibly present. As a cutting edge artistic genius, he continues to live on through his music. David Bowie is deeply fixed in the British culture, influencing every decade up until the present day."

(Image: ITV)

Following Annie's and Gary's tributes, Lorde took to the stage to perform an emotional rendition of Life on Mars.

Bowie’s former tour band - who last performed together during the 2003-4 concerts A Reality Tour - reunited to pay homage to the star and performed a medley of hits included Let’s Dance and Under Pressure before Lorde ended the emotional performance.

It began with Bowie’s vocal singing “Ground control to Major Tom” and the band on stage with a spotlight beaming on to an empty mic stand.

Amongst those featuring was guitarist Earl Slick who has worked with the star since his Diamond Dogs tour in 1974, and played lead guitar on several of his albums.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The estate of David Bowie worked in tandem with Brit bosses to honour the star with their poignant tribute.

Read more:David Bowie honoured at Brit Awards for his 'extraordinary life and work'

New Zealand singer Lorde was tipped by Bowie as being ‘the future’ when they met three years ago.

She explained: “To have someone like that tell you that listening to you felt like listening to tomorrow.

(Image: ITV)

“It was super cute, though – for some reason, we were holding hands and just staring into each other’s eyes and talking, and I was like, this is David Bowie’s hand, what am I doing? It was insane. A beautiful moment.”

When the Starman died in January, 69, Lorde posted a tribute online, writing: “He was a piece of bright pleated silk we could stretch out or fold up small inside ourselves when we needed to.”

(Image: Getty)

She first met Bowie at the age of 16, at his request, at a 2013 benefit honoring Tilda Swinton.

The 19-year-old continued in her memorial: “I’ve never met a hero of mine and liked it.

“It just sucks, the pressure is too huge, you can’t enjoy it. David was different.

“I’ll never forget the caressing of our hands as we spoke, or the light in his eyes.

“That night something changed in me - I felt a calmness grow, a sureness.

"I think in those brief moments, he heralded me into my next new life, an old rock and roll alien angel in a perfect grey suit.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

“I realised everything I’d ever done, or would do from then on, would be done like maybe he was watching.

“I realized I was proud of my spiky strangeness because he had been proud of his.

“And I know I’m never going to stop learning dances, brand new dances. “It’s not going to change, how we feel about him.

"For the rest of our lives, we’ll always be crashing in that same car. Thank you, David Bowie.”