Celebrity fans pay tribute to David Bowie

Madonna posted this picture of herself and David Bowie on Twitter after learning of his death. Photo / Twitter / Madonna

Tributes have poured in for David Bowie from around the world and beyond, with celebrities, politicians and astronauts praising the singer's legacy.

David Bowie tragically lost his battle to cancer over the weekend, just days after his 69th birthday.

Tributes to the musical genius flooded Twitter following the sad announcement of his passing, with hundreds of stars paying their respects to the Ziggy Stardust hitmaker.

Listen to an NZME radio tribute to Bowie below

A-list names like Madonna, Ricky Gervais and Kanye West led the mass influx of messages as celebrities took to social media in their droves to share their memories of the idol, thanking him for his unforgettable influence on music.

Gervais, who had just finished hosting the Golden Globes ceremony, wrote that he had "just lost a hero," while West called him "one of my most important inspirations".

Iggy Pop said his friendship with the star was "the light of my life".

Kiwi pop star Lorde, who met Bowie in 2013 penned a Facebook post saying she "woke up this morning with a tender head from tears and that big red cup of Japanese whiskey, gulped last night after the news came."

Lorde meets Tilda Swinton and David Bowie at the Museum of Modern Art in 2013.

She said the night she met Bowie changed something in her.

"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."

Celebs pay tribute to David Bowie

David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him.

Posted by Mick Jagger on Monday, January 11, 2016

I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016

MESSAGE FROM IGGY:
"David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is.
- Iggy Pop"

— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) January 11, 2016

Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.IP. ❤️ #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/hGfxI967Bw

— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016

David Bowie... You will be missed, but not forgotten. Many people's #Heroes
Legend. pic.twitter.com/LDMMpml8fP

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) January 11, 2016

I'm not a prophet or a stone aged man, just a mortal with potential of a superman. I'm living on. ⚡️ RIP #DavidBowie pic.twitter.com/7fmj3mPkA8

— Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) January 11, 2016

Admired David Bowie since Space Oddity soundtracked my early stargazing. One of a kind https://t.co/RUNS7mLkWw pic.twitter.com/AXMlTyPrEw

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) January 11, 2016

Turn and face the strange ch ch changes. Look out you rock and rollers. RIP #DavidBowie #ZiggyStardust pic.twitter.com/Tbus1txE9f

— Nils Lofgren (@nilslofgren) January 11, 2016

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

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.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 11, 2016

RIP David Bowie. A true InspIration pic.twitter.com/My0BrfSqgS

— PIXIES (@PIXIES) January 11, 2016

A hero has fallen.He will never be forgotten. Please allow his family time to grieve. RIP DavidBowie @DavidBowieReal https://t.co/1vE25WqJH3

— Peter Mayhew Foundation (@TheWookieeRoars) January 11, 2016

Please could every radio station around the globe just play David Bowie music today - I think the world owes him that.

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) January 11, 2016

RIP to a true legend. David Bowie pic.twitter.com/hAfuRb67nv

— Randy Jackson (@YO_RANDYJACKSON) January 11, 2016

I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me - I was not ready for this. RIP Bowie.

— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) January 11, 2016

He never seemed of this earth. Now he's left it. He bent rules, gender, genres, and our minds. RIP David Bowie. One. Of. A. Kind.

— josh groban (@joshgroban) January 11, 2016

.@HRC Mourns the Loss of Icon & Advocate #DavidBowie https://t.co/umSyljYn2m pic.twitter.com/ixUdGjB4T8

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 11, 2016

The great David Bowie as Nikola Tesla in The Prestige pic.twitter.com/3lxs6thgLg

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) January 11, 2016

.@DavidBowieReal is a legend. He changed the way people thought about music, and gender, and fame. He was huge to me.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 11, 2016

Sad to learn of the death of musician @DavidBowieReal whose inspiration lives on "far above the world" #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/4PhrmbsTpM

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 11, 2016

Thank you @DavidBowieReal for making music interesting, flamboyant, & beautiful! RIP David Bowie. - @MikeMcCreadyPJ pic.twitter.com/5V93TND3XP

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) January 11, 2016

Goodbye to our Space Commander.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zV4pJ8MwM

Posted by Flight of the Conchords on Monday, January 11, 2016

Not enough space on Twitter to share all the love I have for this man #davidbowie https://t.co/1jxM0djl0C pic.twitter.com/ufUS15rWEX

— Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) January 11, 2016

I dont know what to say, Bowie was one of th biggest influences in my life,I feel devastated right now.Thank you Bowie for all you gave me😿

— LADYHAWKE (@ladyhawkeforyou) January 11, 2016

It's sad to lose Bowie, but it beautiful to think millions of people across the world are listening to his music right now.

— Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) January 11, 2016