Bowie delights fans with surprise appearance

Rock veteran David Bowie thrilled New York City last night with a surprise appearance alongside Canadian rockers Arcade Fire.

The Heroes hitmaker inspired a rapturous response as he took to the stage in Central Park wearing a sharp white suit, and joined the band in a rendition of their hit WAKE UP.

Bowie performed with the Montreal-based rockers at New York City's Fashion Rocks concert last week, to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

He say: "I told them I'd only do it if they got Arcade Fire to perform. They're fantastic."

The performance marks 58-year-old Bowie's second return to the stage since he suffered a heart attack last year.