News Article 35

'Drone' hits BA Plane: Police investigate Heathrow incident

A police investigation is under way after a passenger plane approaching Heathrow Airport was hit by what is believed to have been a drone.

The British Airways flight from Geneva, with 132 passengers and five crew on board, was hit as it approached the London airport at 12:50 BST on Sunday. If confirmed, it's thought it would be the first such incident in the UK.

BA said it would give the police "every assistance with their investigation". No arrests have been made, police say.

The Metropolitan Police's aviation security unit based at Heathrow will lead the investigation.

After safely landing the plane, the pilot reported an object - believed to have been a drone - had struck the front of the Airbus A320. A BA spokesman said: "Our aircraft landed safely, was fully examined by our engineers and it was cleared to operate its next flight."

A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman said it was "totally unacceptable" to fly drones - which are generally used to capture aerial film or photographs - close to airports.

Steve Landells, from the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa), said it had been "only a matter of time before we had a drone strike". He called for greater enforcement of existing rules.

History of Television

1922 18 October: British Broadcasting Company Ltd formed 1 November: Broadcasting licence fee introduced - initially costing 10 shillings 14 December: John Reith appointed General Manager of the British Broadcasting Company,  a few months  after the official start of British broadcasting. In 1927 he becomes director general of the  British Broadcasting Corporation. 1923 28 September: Radio Times first published 1925 30 October: First television transmission of a human face (William Taynton) made by  John Logie Baird in London 1926 26 January: John Logie Baird demonstrates wireless TV transmission to the Royal Institution in  London January: John Logie Baird demonstrates television 1927 1 January: British Broadcasting Corporation is established with newly-knighted Sir John Reith as  director general 24 May: John Logie Baird demonstrates transmission of television pictures over telephone lines from  London to Glasgow Royal Television Society formed in London. 1928 3 July: John Logie Baird transmits colour television images using a 15-line system 1929 5 March: John Logie Baird transmits television from a BBC transmitter in London 20 August: First television broadcasting trials by BBC, using John Logie Baird's 30-line equipment 1930 14 July: First experimental television play, The Man With a Flower in His Mouth 1931 3 June: First television outside broadcast - John Logie Baird televises the Derby 1932 15 March: First broadcast from Broadcasting House, London. 1936 26 August: Demonstrations of the John Logie Baird and Marconi-EMI systems at the Radiolympia  exhibition in London 2 November: BBC officially launches the world's first regular high-definition television service.  For a trial period, the 405-line Marconi-EMI system and the 240-line John Logie Baird system are used during alternate weeks 1937 12 May: George VI's coronation procession televised - the first use of TV outside broadcast van 21 June: Wimbledon tennis championships are televised for the first time              1938 21 March: The first television news bulletin is broadcast, although the transmission is voice-only  radio-style 2 April: The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race televised for the first time 3 April: BBC begins first Sunday broadcasts 30 April: FA Cup Final televised for the first time 9 June: Trooping of the Colour first broadcast on television 30 June: BBC director general John Reith resigns 16 November: First live television broadcast of a West End play, J.B. Priestley's 'When We Are Married'. 1939 1 September: BBC television service shut down at the outbreak of war. There are concerns that TV  transmissions could be used as a homing signal by the German airforce 3 September: BBC television transmissions cease for the duration of World War II 1941 23 December: John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of 600-line electronic, stereoscopic  television in colour 1946 7 June: BBC television service resumes broadcasting after a seven-year hiatus. A combined £2  radio/TV licence fee is introduced 7 July: Children's television begins with For The Children 1947 11 February: Television broadcasts are temporarily suspended due to the fuel crisis 20 November: Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh broadcast 1948 29 July: Olympic Games are televised from Wembley 1949 29 July: First televised weather forecast 1950 12 February: European Broadcasting Union founded. 23 February: General Election results reported on television for the first time 1953 2 June: the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is watched live by about 20 million people in  Britain and as many as 200 million worldwide 11 November: current affairs programme Panorama is launched; goes on to become the longest-running  programme on British TV 1954 1 January: the Tournament of Roses parade at Pasadena, California, USA, becomes the first programme ever  broadcast coast-to-coast 9 April: Britain's first TV soap opera, The Grove Family 1955 22 September: first TV advert in the UK, for Gibbs SR toothpaste 1957 25 December: the Queen's first annual TV Christmas message broadcast 1961 3 May: The first episode of Coronation Street aired. 1969 21 July: first live broadcasts from the Moon (Apollo XI) 15 November: BBC1 and ITV start broadcasting in colour 1981 1 August: MTV launched; The Buggle's Video Killed the Radio Star the first music video to be  broadcast 1989 5 February:  Sky begins satellite broadcasting in the UK 1997 9 November: BBC1 begins broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week 2000 18 July: the UK launch of the first series of Big Brother starts a fashion for reality TV 2006 Channel 4 starts 'catch up TV' by going on 4 on demand allowing free dowload using the wifi. 2007 BBC and ITV also become available online Netflix starts 2009 Netflix becomes available on iphone and ipad 2014 Netflix reports 50 m users

News Article 34

Budget 2016: Low-paid workers to receive savings bonus

Millions of low-paid workers who put aside savings could receive a top-up of up to £1,200 over four years, the government has announced. Employees on in-work benefits, such as tax credits, who put aside £50 a month would receive a bonus of 50% after two years - worth up to £600. That could then be continued for another two years with account holders receiving another £600.

Meanwhile, the national minimum wage is also set to increase from October 2016. The measures will be detailed in this week's Budget, in which Chancellor George Osborne has already warned of spending cuts.

He said that the UK had to "act now rather than pay later" and that the UK would see cuts "equivalent to 50p in every £100" of public spending by 2020, which was "not a huge amount in the scheme of things".

Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for more long-term investment, specifically in skills, infrastructure and new technology, to enable the UK economy to "withstand the global headwinds". The government said that research showed almost half of UK adults had less than £500 set aside for emergencies.

It said the savings scheme, known as "Help to Save", would be open to around 3.5 million adults who received universal credit or tax credit. They would be able to withdraw the money if necessary and there would be no restrictions to how it could be used.

If the maximum amount was paid in to the scheme over four years, it would mean savings of £3,600, with £1,200 coming from the government.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I've made it the mission of this government to transform life chances across the country... That means giving hard-working people the extra support they need to fulfil their potential."

The "Help to Save" accounts will come into effect by April 2018 , with consultations on how exactly it will be implemented to begin shortly after the Budget.

News Article 33

Bailey Gwynne case: Trial told victim had 'No Chance'

A teenager who died after being stabbed in an Aberdeen school had "no chance", a murder trial has been told.

Bailey Gwynne, 16, died after being stabbed in the heart at Cults Academy last October. The accused, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, denies murder.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, told the jury during his closing speech at the High Court in Aberdeen: "Bailey Gwynne had no chance."

He said: "This was a lethal wound inflicted by a lethal weapon." 

He said it was a "silly trivial fight between two schoolboys".

Mr Prentice started by asking the jury: "Why do you think a young man would carry a knife and a knuckleduster?"

He added: "You would have to have hearts of stone not to be moved by the emotion of this trial, but you must put emotion aside." Mr Prentice asked the jury to convict the accused of murder, but added they could convict of the lesser charge of culpable homicide. He also asked for guilty verdicts on the two charges of having knives and knuckledusters in school.

Mr Prentice said: "There was a stab wound to the heart inflicted by a lethal weapon that was routinely carried. "It may be everyone in this room wishes they had the power to turn back time.

"If we could do that, what would we do? We would say 'get rid of the knife, school is no place for a knife'.

"This case demonstrates the dangers of carrying a knife. If you have a knife you have the ability to use it."

Defence counsel Ian Duguid QC said the jury was dealing with a "spontaneous event" which lasted about 30 seconds. Mr Duguid said the accused had shown "extraordinary stupidity" but suggested Bailey Gwynne had shown "recklessness" in assaulting a fellow pupil.

Mr Duguid said a "trivial" matter started the fight, but said the accused was not a "fighting boy". He said: "Of course if he did not have a knife that day there would be a burst nose and a fat lip but for who? Bailey Gwynne? I don't think so."

Amy: The Girl Behind The Name

Amy directed by Asif Kapadia is a 2015 British documentary film that follows the life and death of British singer Amy Winehouse. It shows who Amy truly was as a person vs how the media portrayed her. She was presented through home videos with a voice over of different people who knew and spent time with her. They described her as a person and also in some parts how others treated her.

This film could be used as a case study because it covers a variety of different representations. It incorporates the representations of gender, issues and age. Gender is a strong representation in the film with a strong theme of dependency arising. Amy depends on men in her life mainly because of her lack of a relationship with her father, this has caused her to become needy towards other males. She further becomes heartbroken when going through a break up which destroys her further. 

The music industry was took a huge impact on both her rise and fall in the industry. Without the music producers in the industry Amy wouldn't have made it in the industry but that is so for all music artists who all need someone already in the industry to help them join. But the industry was also one of the biggest reasons for her fall and destruction because of how much they were asking from her. They tried to change Amy into something she wasn't, she only wanted to be herself something which the industry wouldn't allow her to do. They would also try to rush her into creating albums etc. something she planned to take her time with.

I think the audience responded to Amy well because she was so natural, and was easy to relate to as she was like any other girl expect she had a strong talent in singing. Also because she didn't try to make herself out to be someone she wasn't she appealed to the audience further because she was down to earth. She was quite like Adele who doesn't change her self because of what people want to see. 

Technology took a huge impact on Amy allowing her to get further recognition within the media. The use of TV interviews showed the audience the real Amy. But with things such as radio her songs were played allowing her popularity to rise. However the heighten of technology in this century has enabled more listeners to her music with social media and music streaming such as Spotify. But this was unavailable when she was alive so she was unfortunately unable to use these services. 

Overall I enjoyed the film and thought the way it was put together was very creative and different to the majority of documentaries. The use of home videos allows the audience to see Amy behind the camera rather than who they tried to make her. 

News Article 32

Oscars 2016: Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins an Oscar

Leonardo DiCaprio has finally won his first Oscar for survival epic The Revenant, after six nominations.

He was named best actor at the 88th Academy Awards, with Brie Larson named best actress for Room.

Spotlight took home the best picture Oscar with Mad Max: Fury Road picking up the most awards of the night, with six accolades.

Mark Rylance won the best supporting actor Oscar, with fellow Briton Sam Smith winning best original song.

Image copyright

'Is Hollywood racist?'

The ceremony had been boycotted by some Hollywood figures protesting about the lack of ethnic diversity among this year's nominees, as all 20 nominees in the best acting or supporting acting categories are white.

Host Chris Rock addressed the controversy head on as he launched the ceremony, and it was a theme that was returned to several times during the night.

Rock commented he had "counted at least 15 black people" in the montage that opened the ceremony, before welcoming people to the "white People's Choice awards".

"You realise if they nominated hosts, I wouldn't even get this job," he quipped. "Y'all would be watching Neil Patrick Harris right now."

Rock added: "Everyone wants to know is Hollywood racist? You have to go at it the right way. Is it burning-cross racist? Fetch-me-some-lemonade racist? No.

"It's a different kind of racist. Is Hollywood racist? You're damn right it's racist but it's sorority racist. It's like: We like you Rhonda, but you're not a Kappa.''

Among the winners for Mad Max: Fury Road - nominated for 10 Oscars including best director for George Miller - was British designer Jenny Beavan, for best costume design.

The Revenant won three of the 12 awards for which it was nominated. Alejandro Inarritu also won best director and Emmanuel Lubezki won his third Oscar for cinematography in a row, having won in 2015 for Birdman and 2014 for Gravity.

News Article 31

Kesha denied legal request to escape contract with man she alleges raped her

Singer cried as judge ruled contract with Dr Luke’s record label will remain intact despite Kesha’s allegations that he physically and sexually assaulted her.

Kesha filed a lawsuit against Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, in 2014, claiming that the physical and sexual abuse began soon after she signed with him in 2005, when she was 18.

In the lawsuit, Kesha alleged that Luke plied the singer with drugs and alcohol before making sexual advances toward her. Kesha claimed that on one occasion, Gottwald gave her “sober pills” during a drinking session, and that she later woke up naked in his bed, unable to recall how she got there.

Gottwald quickly countersued, claiming Kesha’s allegations were part of a “campaign of publishing outrageous and untrue statements”. Judge Shirley Kornreich denied Kesha’s motion for preliminary injunction, claiming that “there has been no showing of irreparable harm”, BuzzFeed reported.

Kesha reportedly sobbed as the verdict was announced, and was comforted by her mother who accompanied her to the trial. Dozens of Kesha fans gathered outside the New York City courthouse in support of the #FreeKesha movement and outrage spread over social media.

Attorneys for Gottwald argued that the producer had invested $60m in Kesha’s career and had agreed to allow her to record without his involvement. Kornreich said her instinct was the “do the commercially reasonable thing” and noted that Sony had agreed to let Kesha record without Gottwald’s participation – an agreement Kesha’s lawyers said would set up the singer for failure since Sony’s interests lie in promoting Gottwald.

I think it's terrible Kesha is trapped in a record deal with a man who abused her. I believe he did as kesha does not achieve anything from lying. She should be released from the contract as she has not even released any more music as she can't bear to make money for this man any more. #FreeKesha

The Music Industry - Adele and Jessie J

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. She graduated from the BRIT School for performing arts and technology in 2006. Adele received a recording contract from XL recordings in the same year. She received commercial and critical success for her debut album 19 (2008), 21 (2011) and 25 (2015). Her net worth is said to currently be about £53 million.

Adele has won over 90 awards from a range of different music awards. Adele’s 25 album sold 3.38 million copies in its first week in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music. That’s the largest single sales week for an album since Nielsen began tracking point-of-sale music purchases in 1991. 25 is the first album to sell more than 3 million copies in a week in Nielsen history, and only the second to surpass 2 million sold in a single frame. 

Adele also made a huge impact in both the music and film industry with her song Skyfall which featured in the 23rd instalment of James Bond.

Adele was accused of plagiarism in 2015 over her song one million years ago after it was pointed out that it sounds very similar to Ahmet Kaya’s song Acilara Tutunmak which was released 30 year ago. Fans of the Kurdish artist were quick to point out similarities between the album track and Kaya's song, which was released in 1985.

Taking to social media one questioned: "Million Years Ago has too much similarity with Ahmet Kaya's Acilara Tutunmak to be just a coincidence @Adele"

Adele was also accused of stealing lyrics from Lionel Richie’s song Hello with her own song Hello. "I was so amazed. However, Lionel Ritchie said Everyone said, 'Lionel, Adele is doing your song Hello,' and I said, 'No she's not,' and all of a sudden I heard Hello. But it's Adele. Even though she didn't cover the song, [just] the word Hello, automatically everyone called me on the phone and said 'she used Hello,' and I said, 'Well, I kind of own Hello.'2 But not to the point where it's any kind of problem. I'll loan Hello to Adele."

Jessica Ellen Cornish (born 27 March 1988), better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she began her career on stage, aged 11, with a role in the West End Musical Whistle Down the Wind. She studied at the BRIT School where she graduated in the class of 2006 along with singers Adele and Leona Lewis before signing with Gut Records and striking a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing where she wrote for artists including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus.

Jessie J was signed to Gut Records, recording an album for the label, but the company went bankrupt before any material was released. Since then Jessie j has won over 40 music awards. As of January 2015, Jessie J had sold over 20 million singles and 3 million albums worldwide with her net worth being around £5.6 million. Alike to Adele Jessie J featured her song Flashlight in the film industry in the film Pitch Perfect 2.

Jessie J has also been called out over plagiarism back in 2012 with her song Domino by TMZ Will Loomis from the band The Loomis & Lust over his song Bright Red Chords. She was also accused of fixing the votes on the singing show The Voice which she featured as a judge.

News Article 30

Black Workers earning less than White colleagues 

Black workers earn much less than similarly qualified white workers, at all levels of education, research suggests.

Analysis of pay data by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) suggests that the difference in average pay rates amounts to a gap of 23%.

Black graduates earn on average £14.33 an hour, compared with £18.63 earned by white graduates, the TUC says.

The average pay gap between black and white workers with A-levels is 14%.

And at GCSE level the gap is 11%, the TUC says.

The TUC's general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Race still plays a huge role in determining pay.

"The harsh reality is that at any level of education, black and Asian workers are getting paid less than their white counterparts.

"The government cannot afford to ignore these figures and must now take genuine action to tackle pay discrimination."

The Runnymede Trust, a leading race equality think tank, has previously found that pay gaps are not due to the type of university attended, as they even extend to black workers with degrees from the most selective Russell Group of universities.

In fact the TUC's analysis, based on the Labour Force Survey figures from 2014 and 2015, shows the pay gaps are widest for those with higher qualifications.

"This suggests that education alone will do little to address racial inequalities, and the need for interventions that directly challenge racial inequalities in the workplace," the TUC said.

The trade union umbrella body is calling on the government to recognise the scale of the problem and to urgently develop a race equality strategy.

As part of an anti-discrimination drive announced on Sunday, David Cameron said universities in England would be forced to disclose the proportion of ethnic minority applicants who get places.

The prime minister said transparency would force top universities like Oxford to work harder to broaden their intake.

I think the fact racial discrimination is taking part in the amount of pay someone receives is terrible. Just because someone is white doesn't mean they'll work harder than any one else. But this is obviously down to the dominant ideology and who they think will do the best job. This topic this article surrounds is useful when talking about the representation of race. 

News Article 29

The Revenant storms to the top of the US Box Office

The Oscar nominated film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is about a frontiersman fighting for survival after being attacked by a bear. It took $16m (£11.2m) with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in second place with $14.3m (£10m).

Storm Jonas forced cinema closures in Washington DC and New York, while hundreds of others suspended showings.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box office firm Rentrak, said the storm had a limited effect. "It probably altered the box office 10 or 12 percent overall. This was never predestined to be an earth-shattering box office weekend anyway," he said.

The Revenant, directed by Alejandro G Inarritu, has taken $119.2m (£83.5m) in North America so far. It had a limited release on Christmas Day, followed by a wide release on 8 January.

JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens has made $1.94bn globally to date and is likely to cross the $2bn (£1.36bn) mark over the next week.

Last week's number one, Kevin Hart and Ice Cube comedy Ride Along 2, dropped to third with $13m (£9.1m).

Rounding out the top five were two new entries, comedy Dirty Grandpa and The Boy, about an American nanny who finds her English family's boy is a life-sized doll.

Next week's new releases include thriller The Finest Hours starring Chris Pine, Holliday Grainger and Casey Affleck, and Kung Fu Panda 3.

US box office top five

1. The Revenant - $16m (£11.21m)

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens - $14.3m (£10.02m)

3. Ride Along 2 - $13m (£9.1m)

4. Dirty Grandpa - $11.5m (£8.06m)

5. The Boy - $11.3m (£7.9m)

News Article 28

Muslim women's segregation in UK communities must end – Cameron

"More assertive" action is needed to tackle discrimination against Muslim women and their segregation in some UK communities, David Cameron has said.

A review will be conducted of Sharia councils operating in Britain and £20m spent on language classes for the 22% of Muslim women in England said to speak little or no English.

The prime minister said the moves could help combat radicalisation. But some Muslims have questioned the link between language and extremism.

Writing in the Times, Mr Cameron said the lack of integration within British society of some Muslim communities had helped to foster extremism and allow "appalling practices" such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

"Last week, I chaired a meeting of a group of brilliant Muslim women role models. And while I heard great examples of so many women who are flourishing in our country, some painted an alarming picture of forced gender segregation, discrimination and social isolation from mainstream British life," he said.

Mr Cameron said it was time to be "more assertive about our liberal values, more clear about the expectations we place on those who come to live here and build our country together and more creative and generous in the work we do to break down barriers".

"This is Britain. In this country, women and girls are free to choose how they live," he said.

W.O.W - Who Own's What

Disney

The Walt Disney Company commonly known as Disney is a multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate. It is the world's second largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue. Disney was founded on October 16th, 1923 by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney at the Disney brothers cartoon studio.

According to Investopedia.com these are the top  companies Disney owns that are well known around the world.

Disney/ABC Television group

Disney/ABC Television Group operates Disney's broadcast television, cable television and radio businesses. Its broadcast TV businesses include ABC Studios, ABC News and the ABC Television Network, which combine to deliver programming to more than 200 local TV affiliates across the country. Disney/ABC Television Group also operates eight local television stations in some of the country's biggest media markets. 

ESPN Inc.

ESPN is a sports media and entertainment company with eight cable networks in the U.S. and another 16 TV networks abroad. Disney holds a controlling 80% stake in ESPN, while Hearst Corporation owns 20%. 

Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC

Lucasfilm is a film production company best known for producing the Star Wars series, one of the biggest-grossing film franchises in history. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. Its subsidiary media and production businesses include Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound, and Lucas Licensing.

Marvel Entertaiment. LLC

Marvel Entertainment is a media and entertainment company with operations in publishing, television and film. Marvel is best known for its catalog of fictional characters, including Spider-Man, Captain America and the X-Men. Disney acquired Marvel and the rights to its more than 5,000 characters in 2009. 

SONY

Sony Corporation commonly referred to as Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. 

Sony's website states: 

At Sony, our mission is to be a company that inspires and fulfills your curiosity.

Our unlimited passion for technology, content and services,

and relentless pursuit of innovation, drives us to deliver

ground-breaking new excitement and entertainment in ways that only Sony can.

Creating unique new cultures and experiences.

Everything we do, is to move you emotionally.

BE MOVED

Electronics 

Sony's electronics produce everything from batteries and televisions to music players and professional video/audio equipment.

Video Games

Sony owns Sony Computer entertainment, a distinct part of it electronic business. Sony Computer Entertainment produces the popular playstation consoles.

Film and Television Production

Sony owns Sony Pictures Entertainment, which includes the Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems and TriStar Pictures Marquees. Sony Pictures also has a large television production and distribution business. Sony also owns 20% of MGM Studios.

Music Production

Sony is the sole shareholder of the major label Sony Music. This was assembeled from Sony's acquisition of colombia Musi from CBS in the 1980's as well as a merger with BMG music in 2004.

Financial services 

Sony owns Sony Financial Holdings as a company for its financial service businesses in Japan. The company owns and operates Sony Life Insurance and Sony Bank.

Joint Ventures

Sony owns 50% of cellular phone joint venture Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB with Swedish telecommunications manafaturer Ericsson. Sony also owns 50% minus one share of S-LCD, a joint venture with Samsung Electronics.

News Article 27

David Bowie Dies of Cancer aged 69

His son, film director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news and a statement was issued on his social media accounts. 

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said.

"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

His hits include Let's Dance, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel, Rebel and Life on Mars. He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

The singer only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on Friday. The album, which includes just seven songs, has been well received by critics. Tributes have been paid to Bowie from across the world of entertainment.

Brian Eno, who collaborated with Bowie on his albums Low and Heroes, said: "Words cannot express... rest in peace David Bowie".

Rapper Kanye West said: "David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime."

Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, who convinced Bowie to star as himself and ridicule Gervais in an episode of 2006 sitcom Extras, wrote simply: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

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

Bowie collaborator Rick Wakeman wrote on Twitter: "As I'm sure you can imagine I'm gutted hearing of David's passing. He was the biggest influence & encouragement I could ever have wished for."