David Bowie was recording Blackstar follow-up album in final weeks

David Bowie had started to record a brand new album in the weeks before his death, his producer has revealed.

According to Tony Visconti, the British superstar was in the process of recording a follow-up to Blackstar just days before he died.

While Blackstar was released just two days before he passed away on Sunday, the 69-year-old was already working on new material and has demoed five new songs.

"At that late stage, he was planning the follow-up to 'Blackstar', and I was thrilled,” he told Rolling Stone.

“And I thought, and he thought, that he’d have a few months, at least.”

Visconti went on to say that Bowie’s illness must have progressed suddenly after their conversation.

“Obviously, if he’s excited about doing his next album, he must’ve thought he had a few more months.

“So the end must’ve been very rapid. I’m not privy to it. I don’t know exactly, but he must’ve taken ill very quickly after that phone call.”

The producer admitted that he suddeny realised how important Blackstar was halfway through the recording process.

“You canny b**tard. You’re recording a farewell album,” he said.