Adele

The late great David Bowie has been recognised as the UK's most popular male musician.

The singer, songwriter and actor, who tragically passed away in January aged 69, topped the list beating off competition from Elvis Presley and chart-topper Ed Sheeran.

Adele, 28, swept to victory in the female category, while Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela were also named as two of the most recognisable public figures.

Scroll down for full list 

David Bowie, who tragically passed away aged 69 in January, has been named as the UK's most popular male musician

Adele, 28, has been named as the UK's most popular female musician beating off competition from Beyonce, Kate Bush and Whitney Houston

Bowie, who scored 25 UK Top 10 hits, had a stunningly successful career that spanned across five decades. 

The iconic singer died days after the release of his final album Blackstar and a few weeks before his 69th birthday.  

Bowie - whose real name is David Robert Jones - also went by famous moniker Ziggy Stardust, his flamboyant alter ego.

The star has most recently been honoured with four posthumous nominations at the Grammy Awards for his last ever album.

The iconic rocker scored 25 UK Top 10 hits and had a stunningly successful career that spanned across five decades

 The 25 hitmaker has had a fantastic year, performing at Glastonbury and landing herself five Grammy nominations

The study, commissioned by Camrate, which placed the iconic rocker in the top spot came from a poll of 2,000 Brits on their favourite musicians.

'Hello' songstress Adele batted away tough competition from Beyonce, Kate Bush and Whitney Houston to win the women's musician category.

She has had a record year after releasing her third album '25', after performing at Glastonbury the singer also picked up five Grammy nominations. 

However, there were a few surprises on the list.

Pop star Justin Bieber, who has topped the UK charts several times in the past few years, only made it in at number 18.

Meanwhile Taylor Swift,  who has already scooped 10 Grammys at the age of 27, only managed to be placed at number seven.

Kim Kardasian was placed 20th in the most recognisable public figures alongside notable people like Sir Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale and Marie Curie

Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013, was named as the most recognisable public figure, with talk show host and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey following second

The poll also generated a vote for the most recognisable public figure, which was topped by anti-apartheid activist and politician Nelson Mandela.

Mandela was closely followed by talk show host Oprah Winfrey and physicist Stephen Hawking in the countdown.

A spokesperson for CamRate added: 'The research has brought up some real surprises. I mean, who doesn't know who Walt Disney is?'

Kim Kardashian managed to bag herself a spot on the list, appearing alongside notable figures like Sir Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale and Marie Curie.