DAVID Bowie came close to appearing in PANTO in Musselburgh several decades ago, it's been reported.

The actor and musician died on Sunday, just two days after he celebrated his 69th birthday.

Bowie starred in films such as Labryinth and Zoolander but it's been claimed he could have appeared in the Honest Toun – if not for a pay dispute.

Bowie was asked to play Puss in Boots in Musselburgh but it was suggested he wanted £15 a week, while the management were only prepared to offer £10 a week and it never came to pass.

The date and venue of the show was not confirmed.

On The Brunton's Facebook page, there seems to still be confusion over whether it happened.

It read: "There’s no mention of when this was, and after our own wee investigation we can’t find evidence to support that this was The Brunton.

"We did, however, find a reference in a Bowie biography about David being invited to join him [Lindsay Kemp, the dancer and mime artist who worked with and inspired Bowie] in “Scotland for a Christmas production of Puss in Boots” in 1968.

"At this time The Brunton was under construction and the first event held here wasn’t until December 1970."

Lesley Smith, general manager, described the story as "fascinating".

She added: "If anyone can shed further light on this, we’d love to hear about it!”