Tributes poured in to the legendary rocker in his hometown of Brixton, South London after a secret 18 month battle with cancer.

Flowers, candles and tributes lined the pavement below the Ziggy Stardust mural, which is painted on to a shop wall just off the high street.

One fan left a note simply saying "The stars look very different today".

Another read: "Thank you David. You opened hearts and minds the world over... to be open and accept others. What a man you are. Big kiss."

His childhood home, on Stansfield Road in Brixton, saw young fans strumming Space Oddity on guitar and toasting the late star from as early as 10am.

The surrounding houses played his discography on repeat as some listeners shed and tear and knelt to pay their respects.

One fan, Alison Baker, 44, said: "I'm not one for collective mourning, but there's something that's been very special about my life because of David Bowie. He made it seem so possible to do anything."