Bowie dismisses Stardust claims

Bowie supported his son at the Sundance Film Festival last week

Singer David Bowie has denied rumours he is to resurrect his Ziggy Stardust alter ego.

It had been reported that the star was to revive the character for this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.

But the 62-year-old's website has dismissed the claims, describing the story as "poppycock".

Bowie has been in semi-retirement since cutting short a 2004 world tour following a heart scare.

Newspapers and websites reported that the star would be performing his classic 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars in its entirety.

However, a statement on Bowie's website said: "I'm sure the majority of you saw this tale for what it was anyway - poppycock.

"However, we feel duty-bound to deny this particular story, lest members be fleeced of their hard-earned."

David Bowie does not have a Twitter account David Bowie's website

Bowie retired his alter ego on stage in London in 1973.

The site also scotched rumours the star was working on new material in Germany.

They came after a comment was left under his name on Twitter, a micro-blogging site where people post short messages online using up to 140 characters.

"David Bowie does not have a Twitter account," it said.

Bowie was seen recently at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah to watch the premiere of Moon, directed by his son, Duncan Jones.

He told reporters: "I'm so happy for him and proud as punch."

The singer's last studio album Reality was released in 2003.

Last year, he sang backing vocals on Scarlett Johansson's album Anywhere I Lay My Head.