STARS from the world of showbiz and entertainment summoned the words of David Bowie to pay tribute to the rock star.

The 69-year-old - known for hits such as Changes, Ashes To Ashes and Starman - left a legacy created by pioneering musicianship and ground-breaking lyrics dating back almost half a century.

Bowie, who died on Sunday after suffering from cancer for 18 months, had a number of North Yorkshire links.

His aunt Roma Teal lived in Dunnington and then at Connaught Court care home in Fulford before she died aged 104 in October 2014.

Roma spoke to The Press about her famous relative in an article to mark her 104th birthday, recalling Bowie as a youngster.

She said: “I don’t remember him being musical, but I suppose he was, he must have been.

"He grew up in London in a little semi-detached house and visited me in Leeds a couple of times.

"The only similarities I can see now are our two front teeth.”

With his band Davy Jones and the Lower Third, he is believed to have played the Boulevard in Dringhouses, York and Tadcaster's Fairlight Gardens.

He later changed his name to David Bowie and rose to super stardom.

Meanwhile, Driffield drummer Woody Woodmansey played with Bowie as The Spiders From Mars in the early 1970s.

Australian actor Russell Crowe, referencing one of Bowie's better known singles which featured on covers album Pin Ups 1973, wrote: "RIP David. I loved your music. I loved you. One of the greatest performance artists to have ever lived. #sorrow"

Rock guitarist Joel Madden, quoting Changes, simply added: "Turn and face the strange."

Actor Mark Ruffalo wrote: "Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always Legendary singer David Bowie dies at 69."

While comedian and writer Eddie Izzard said: "Very sad to hear about the death of David Bowie but through his music he will live forever."

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme he became a Bowie fan during the singer's early rise to prominence.

He said: "I'm very, very saddened to hear of his death.

"I remember sitting listening to his songs endlessly in the '70s particularly and always really relishing what he was, what he did, the impact he had.

"Extraordinary person."

And Prime Minister David Cameron, whose musical tastes are well documented, also offered his condolences.

He said: "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."