Lindsay Kemp, the ground-breaking dancer and choreographer who inspired David Bowie, has died at the age of 80.

Director Nendi Pinto-Duschunsky, who is currently making a documentary of his life called Lindsay Kemp's Last Dance, confirmed reports that he died in Livorno in Italy on Saturday morning.

He studied art at Bradford College with painter David Hockney and founded his dance company in the 1960s. 

Kemp was also known for his film cameos, appearing as a pub landlord in The Wicker Man in 1973 and as a pantomime dame in the film Velvet Goldmine in 1998.

Kemp also acted, appearing in several films, including The Wicker Man, as well as producing several operatic works in Italy.

The late legendary singer David Bowie became his student, performing in Kemp's show, Pierrot in Turquoise and gaining the theatrical inspiration for his Ziggy Stardust persona.

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