MUSIC icon David Bowie has been named the most influential British artist of the past 50 years.
A panel of judges hailed his unrivalled ability to “transcend a variety of mediums”.
Bowie, who died in 2016 aged 69, sold more than 140 million records and starred in dozens of films and plays.
His films include 1983 movie Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, and Jareth the Goblin King in 1986 movie Labyrinth.
Apart from movies, he also starred on stage as Joseph Merrick in the Broadway production of The Elephant Man in the early 1980s – and he was also a celebrated artist.
Film director Sir Steve McQueen was ranked second with Doctor Who and It’s A Sin writer Russell T Davies third.
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Fashion’s Dame Vivienne Westwood and rapper Stormzy also featured in the Sky Arts top 50.
The top 50 also included Ricky Gervais at number 19, Steve Coogan at number 33, Banksy at number 34, Elton John at 35, and The Spice Girls, at number 47.
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Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: “The Top 10 list is filled with incredible home-grown talent that spans all areas of the creative arts.
“The influence that these artists have had on their own industries, but also on wider culture is astonishing, and it’s great to see them get this recognition.”
