David Bowie gave his seal of approval for the 'Lazarus Cast Album' to be made before he died.

David Bowie

David Bowie

The 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize paid tribute to the late 'Starman' hitmaker - who tragically passed away in January at the age of 69 from cancer - on Thursday night (15.09.16) with the cast and band of the original New York production of Bowie's musical 'Lazarus' performing his song of the same name.

Speaking at the awards ceremony at London's Eventim Hammersmith, the show's musical director Henry Hey revealed: "I got a call very early in the morning.

"I wrote to everyone saying: 'When you wake up you will get this news but David really wanted this album and we have to make this album.'

"Everybody felt that way. It was a very beautiful day at the same time.

"At least we can be together and celebrate his music and celebrate this thing."

Meanwhile, lead actor Michael C Hall - who performed a rendition of the Bowie song - said that the music legend was "childlike" and "ebullient" that the musical was to go ahead.

Michael told the Daily Star newspaper: "We were humbled by being entrusted to make it happen and encouraged he was so positive and inclined to express a sense of gratitude to us. He was remarkably childlike and ebullient that it was happening and that was fantastic.

"Lazarus' opening in London is a good way of Bowie coming home."