Bowie ch-ch-changes so much

From Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, David Bowie has always been rakishly thin.

But as he approaches his 60th birthday, it seems he is growing into yet another persona.

'Happily rounded rock star' would fit the bill nicely.

The singer, who had heart surgery two years ago, made a rare public appearance in New York at a party to mark the Tribeca Film Festival.

And with a hint of a double chin and a wide smile, he looked much healthier than in his hollow-cheeked days.

He was accompanied by his wife Iman, who at 50, is still as striking as in her earliest days as a model.

Bowie, a workaholic, found himself forced to slow down after emergency heart surgery in July 2004 in the middle of a European tour.

After days of fighting off pain he asked doctors to check what he thought was a trapped nerve. They discovered it was a blocked coronary artery and operated immediately.

Since then the singer - whose hits include Changes, Sorrow, Ashes to Ashes and Lets Dance - has been taking life a little easier. 'Up until his heart surgery he had been working like a lunatic,' a source close to Bowie said last night. 'As well as touring around the world he had released three albums in five years.

'After it happened he realised that he needed to slow down. And he has enjoyed learning to relax.

'He has been spending time with Iman and their daughter Alexandria who is now five and he has become quite happy playing the househusband.

'But he is planning to get back to work soon. He has got a project planned for the start of next year, when he turns 60, but he won't talk about what it is.'

In his most recent interview Bowie said he had given up his lifelong smoking habit and felt better than ever.

'I feel fantastic at the moment,' he said. 'After I had the heart attack I decided to take a year off and do nothing.

'I didn't do any work and just made sure I was looking after myself. I go to the gym, I don't drink and I'm feeling really good.'

Bowie has also been discussing the possibility of appearing in Ricky Gervais's BBC2 comedy Extras.