David Bowie Died From Liver Cancer

• David Bowie told friends he was suffering from liver cancer in late 2014
• He knew illness would kill him a year before he passed away on Monday, according to theatre director Ivo van Hove
• Collaborator describes how he continued working and even said "Let's make a second one now" just weeks ago
• His last album Blackstar features lyrics: "Look up here, I'm in heaven"

David Bowie knew he had terminal liver cancer more than a year ago but was desperate to live so he could see his daughter grow up, according to one of his closest collaborators.

The star battled illness for 18 months before his death on Sunday, but kept it a secret from all but close friends and family - even though he knew it was likely to kill him.

Despite his cancer diagnosis, Bowie continued to make music, releasing his final album Blackstar just two days before he passed away in New York on Monday, surrounded by his family.

During his illness he was sometimes too frail to work, but weeks before his death he told the director of a musical based on his songs that he wanted to "make a second one now" in a sign that his creative spirit was undiminished, so he did just that.

Watch his latest video, a farewell to his fans here.

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