Danish politicians and musicians have been flocking to social media to express their shock sadness at the death of David Bowie.

The genre-smashing singer, songwriter and artist, who sold over 140 million albums in his career, died on Sunday, two days after his 69th birthday. Bowie’s death after an 18-month battle with cancer was confirmed by his publicist and son, the film director Duncan Jones (‘Moon’ and ‘Source Code’, this morning.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family,” a post on his Facebook page read.

His last album, ‘Blackstar’, was released on Friday, his 69th birthday.

A visionary lost
Award-winning Danish musician Nikolaj Nørlund said he heard Bowie for the first time when he was eight years old.

“There is no-one who has had  a greater impact on me as David Bowie,”  Nørlund told Jyllands-Posten. “He taught me to choose the quirky and the unexpected.”

If their social media is to be believed, a clutch of Danish politicians are Bowie fans.

Morten Bødskov, the one-time justice minister, posted on Facebook: “David Bowie is dead. Like many others, I wore out his records. He will always be one of music’s greatest.”

A ‘Hero’ to many
Nicolai Wammen, the former defence minister, tweeted: “Thanks to David Bowie! A great artist who in a unique way influenced generations of music lovers.”

MP Benny Engelbrecht called Bowie “one of music’s greatest heroes” and MP Astrid Krag said: “We need heroes. Thanks for the music.”

Alternativet party leader Uffe Elbæk expressed the disbelief that many people are feeling.

“No … it can’t be. He was a true artist,” he said.