The singer penned hits for other artists including Sinead O'Connor's moving Nothing Compares to You, and Chaka Khan's I Feel For You.

His fans also delighted in his epic live shows, complete with mesmeric, high-octane dance routines and elaborate backing entourages.

The cause of Prince's death is not yet known. The news comes days after reports that he was rushed to hospital, hours after a performance, suffering from flu.

The private plane he was travelling on at the time was said to have made an emergency landing. He was forced to cancel two gigs recently, amid concerns over his health.

Tributes to Prince have already started to pour in from the likes of Boy George, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Robbie Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and Katy Perry on Twitter.

Legendary singer Prince dies aged 57