David Bowie's death sends online song plays soaring

The number of David Bowie's songs listened to online leapt by more than 2,000% as the world mourned his death.

There was also a spike in fans tweeting their favourite Bowie songs, with his 1977 hit Heroes proving the most popular.

Figures from global streaming service Spotify show there was a jump of 2,822% in the hours following the announcement that he had died from cancer.

The latest available figures from iTunes show that all five top places on the UK album charts are occupied by Bowie, with his new album Blackstar in first position.

The singer died from cancer in New York just days after celebrating his 69th birthday.

His family confirmed his death via Facebook, saying he had died after "a courageous 18- month battle with cancer".

Producer Tony Visconti, who worked with Bowie on Blackstar, said the final album was "his parting gift".

"I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it," he wrote on Facebook.

Musician Rick Wakeman, who was the keyboardist for Bowie on tracks like Life On Mars, admitted he felt "moments of regret" at not working more with the Ziggy Stardust creator.

Wakeman spoke on Good Morning Britain about being asked to join the band Yes and The Spiders From Mars (Bowie's backing band) at the same time.

"I often wonder what might have been," he said of his decision to join Yes and not work with Bowie again.

Funeral plans have not yet been revealed, but the Mirror reported that he may be laid to rest in New York.

Singer Tina Turner is the latest celebrity to pay tribute to Bowie, saying "a piece of my heart has broken".

"Not only was David a passionate supporter of my career but more importantly a very special person in my life. An icon. Irreplaceable loving friend. I am missing him greatly," she said.

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger were also among the artists who remembered him.

Sir Mick said: "David was always an inspiration to me and a true original."

Sir Paul referenced the part Bowie's music has played in British musical history, writing on his blog: "I'm proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world.

"His star will shine in the sky forever."