When news of David Bowie's tragic death broke we all hoped it was a hoax - but sadly it was true

Four years earlier the reclusive rock star had been reported dead only for his millions of fans to breathe a huge sign of relief when it emerged it was not true.

The BBC's North America Technology reporter, Dave Lee initially reported the superstar's official Facebook page had been hacked.

Sadly, he was proved wrong.

The same devotees hoped his official Facebook page had been hacked after it reported the singer "died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer."

But when Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, took to Twitter writing "very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all," the world's disbelief turned to shock and sadness.

It was a tragic end to the euphoria his fans had felt on Friday, the day of his 69th birthday, when he released his latest album Blackstar.

The news led to an unprecedented outpouring of grief from around the world with musicians, politicians, sports star, religion, his fans and even outer space coming together to pay tribute.

Read more: Kate Moss pays tribute to David Bowie by wearing T-shirt bearing his face

With worldwide album sales of more than 140 million and 39 top 20 hit singles including six number ones, mourners were united when they spoke about how his music not only transformed their lives but generations too.

Rex
David Bowie's music not only transformed lives but generations too
In Brixton, where the singer was born, fans flocked in their hundreds to pay their respects at his childhood home on Stansfield Road while others from around the world flooded social media with their heartache.

Scores of flowers, messages and candles were laid on the road outside the south London house where the star was born in 1947.

PA
Tributes have flooded in for David Bowie
Prime Minister David Cameron led the country's tributes reflecting the nation's mood saying his death was "a huge loss."

He said he had grown up listening to and watching Bowie calling the Heroes singer a "master of reinvention" and a pop genius who kept on getting it right.

He wrote on Twitter: "I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie.

"He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: I think it's great were spending just a few minutes remembering a great musician, great entertainer, and omebody that really represents all that's best in the fantastic cultural diversity of this country.

"I can't think of David Bowie without thinking of Life on Mars and as soon as I heard of his death, very very sad, Life on Mars comes flowing back into my mind.

Rex
David Bowie was described as a "wonderful guy" by Jeremy Corbyn
"Wonderful song, wonderful guy."

Former PM Tony Blair also paid tribute describing himself as a huge fan, said Bowie would be "deeply mourned."

"From the time I saw his Ziggy Stardust concert as a student, I thought he was a brilliant artist and an exciting and interesting human being," Blair said in a statement.

David Bowie dead: World wakes up to sad news of rock legend's passing away after losing cancer battle
"It was a great privilege when I got to meet him later in life."

Elsewhere in politics Germany's Foreign Ministry said Bowie was "now among heroes" as they thanked the one-time West Berlin resident for "helping to bring down the wall."

The ministry's post on its Twitter feed includes a link to a video of Bowie performing "Heroes," which contains the line "I can remember/Standing, by the wall."

It wrote: "Good-bye, David Bowie. You are now among #Heroes. Thank you for helping to bring down the #wall."

Bowie lived in West Berlin in the late 1970s. Mayor Michael Mueller said that "Heroes" became "the hymn of our then-divided city and its longing for freedom" adding "among his peers stars said there was no equal."

The world of music's biggest stars were also quick to pay their respects.

"David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together.

"His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I'm proud to think of the huge influence he had had on people all around the world.

"I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever."

Sir Paul was joined by the Rolling Stones, whose frontman Mick Jagger sang with Bowie on 1985's global hit Dancing in the Street.