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Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Freddie Mercury's 'close and loving' bond with daughter he kept hidden
Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury's secret daughter, who he had a 'close' and 'loving' relationship with, has been revealed after being hidden from the world for decades Queen icon Freddie Mercury's secret daughter has been revealed, 34 years after his death at the age of 45. The iconic rockband's frontman had a daughter that was kept a secret from the public – however his closest circle of friends knew about his offspring. Freddie's daughter has been revealed in an upcoming book, titled Love, Freddie, which details how she was accidentally conceived during a fling with the wife of a close friend of the We Will Rock You singer in 1976. The daughter, known only as B, is now 48 and lives in Europe and works as a medical professional. Freddie's daughter also is now a mother – making Freddie a grandad. Freddie's nearest and dearest knew of B, including his parents, sister, bandmates as well as the love of his live, Mary Austin – however, his daughter was kept hidden from the public. Speaking out about her bond with her late father, who died from bronchial pneumonia caused by complications from AIDS, B opened up to rock biographer Lesley-Ann Jones. She has said she was raised by a loving family but always knew the Queen legend was her biological father. B penned a handwritten letter for the book, which discusses her bond with Freddie. It reads: " Freddie Mercury was and is my father. We had a very close and loving relationship from the moment I was born and throughout the final 15 years of his life." She added in the message, shared by the Daily Mail:"He adored me and was devoted to me. The circumstances of my birth may seem, by most people's standards, unusual and even outrageous. "That should come as no surprise. It never detracted from his commitment to love and look after me. He cherished me like a treasured possession." The rockstar was said to be a "hands-on devoted dad" and his secret daughter was the "greatest blessing of his life". Jones explained they decided B would live with her mother and her husband but Freddie would have his own room at their home. The three friends raised B together and Freddie spoke to his daughter everyday when he was on tour. Before his death, Freddie gave his daughter 17 volumes of his personal journals in a sweet gift. B had kept them a hidden away for a number of years but later gave them to rock biographer Lesley-Ann Jones. The journals form the basis of an upcoming book, which is set for release later this year. Jones said of being approached by B: "My instinct was to doubt everything, but I am absolutely sure she is not a fantasist." But, Freddie's daughter never asked for money and does not want recognition. She said B was not provided for through Freddie's will, but instead through a private legal arrangement so the secret would be kept. "His only child was conceived accidentally with the wife of one of his closest friends, while his friend was away on an extended business trip. For the Roman Catholic mother, abortion was out of the question," Jones told the publication.
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Joe Rogan would ‘rather go to Russia' than work at UFC event in Canada
Joe Rogan has said he will not be working at UFC 315 in May, as he would 'rather go to Russia ' than Canada, where the event will play out. UFC 315 is scheduled for 10 May at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, and given the fight card's status as a pay-per-view event, many fans expected Rogan to be on commentary duties for the UFC. However, the American has played down the idea. Speaking on his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience on Saturday, the 57-year-old said: 'I won't be there. I don't go to Canada anymore, I don't. I'd rather go to Russia.' Rogan was also absent from UFC 297, which took place in Toronto in January 2024, so his decision to skip UFC 315 is not necessarily a major surprise. In general, Rogan tends not to work at international UFC events anymore, having cited the amount of travel as an offputting factor. However, the feeling is that Rogan's decision could be linked to his support of US President Donald Trump, who recently implemented costly tariffs on goods from abroad, including Canada, causing a 'trade war'. Furthermore, Trump has joked that he could try to make Canada the 51st US state – something that Rogan addressed on the same episode of his podcast. 'I had a conversation with Trump about it,' Rogan said. 'He goes: 'I started calling him Governor [Justin] Trudeau just for fun, but a lot of people are saying good idea. Maybe it is a good idea!'' Rogan and Trump were referring to former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, who recently resigned from his position. 'That's never going to happen,' Rogan said of annexing Canada. 'That's so crazy, asked them to be the 51st state.' Mark Carney, Trudeau's successor, said this weekend: 'We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.' UFC 315 is due to be headlined by two title fights. In the main event, Belal Muhammad is set to defend the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena, after the co-main event pits women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko against Manon Fiorot. In January, UFC president Dana White spoke at a rally held by Trump upon the latter's election victory. White, a friend of Trump, thanked Rogan during that speech.
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Celebrity chef hits out at Meghan Markle's ‘terrible' Netflix show and claims he refused consulting role
Celebrity chef Jameson Stocks candidly admitted he wasn't a fan of Meghan Markle's new Netflix show With Love, Meghan, describing the episodes as 'painful to watch.' Filmed in Montecito, California, the show follows the Duchess of Sussex through her everyday life at home, as she cooks and hosts family members and friends. Guests included The Office actor Mindy Kaling, her Suits cast mate Abigail Spencer, and two other celebrity chefs — Alice Waters and Roy Choi. Stocks, the 41-year-old food connoisseur who's famously cooked for King Charles, had no interest in being part of the show, and claims he turned down the offer. Speaking to GB News on March 8, Stocks said he refused to be the role because he was 'skeptical' of the program before it even went into production. 'I felt that even if she produced a really great program, which I was quite skeptical of anyway, that I might get a little slammed for it, for being a part of it,' he told the outlet. 'I didn't like the idea of me showing her how to do something, and then it kind of being forced and fake. 'I just felt if she's going to do something herself, she should do it herself,' Stocks continued. When asked what his opinion of the show is now after watching it, Stocks said he thought everything about it was 'terrible.' 'The music's quite slow, it's quite lethargic. It's just painful to watch,' he added. 'I think she should just go back to acting. She's quite a good actress in real life, or obviously on screen. I think people should just stick to what they do best.' Despite any criticisms Meghan's new series has received since its March 4 release, the show was officially renewed for a second season last week. According to People, the newest instalment has already been filmed and is set to premiere fall 2025. Meghan took to her Instagram on March 8 to tease the upcoming season with a short-form ASMR video of her in the same kitchen seen in the first eight-episode drop. 'If you're loving Season 1, just wait until you see the fun we cooked up on Season 2,' her caption read. 'Thanks for joining the party, and an endless thanks to the amazing team and crew who helped bring it all to life!' With Love, Meghan is the fifth project to come from the $100 million deal she and Prince Harry cut with Netflix back in 2020. The other projects have included the six-part docuseries entitled Harry & Meghan and the documentary Polo.
Sky News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Footballer David Goodwillie faces private rape prosecution after Scottish government approves legal aid funding
The Scottish government has approved a legal aid application for the private prosecution of former Scotland striker David Goodwillie for rape. A civil court ruled in 2017 that Goodwillie and former teammate David Robertson raped Denise Clair at a property in West Lothian following a night out in 2011, but no criminal charges were filed against the pair. Ms Clair is seeking a rare private prosecution, where an individual seeks to prosecute rather than the Crown, but is reliant on financial assistance from the government to go ahead. After a long-running application, which First Minister John Swinney said in November was taking too long, ministers announced on Sunday that legal aid had been granted. Speaking to the Sunday Post - which has championed Ms Clair's cause - she said: "I am elated that after all these years I can finally begin the journey to proper justice. "I have waited all this time to have the facts of this case tested in criminal court. "It is disappointing that the Scottish government made me wait an agonising extra year for a decision they could have made in 24 hours given they agree how exceptional this case is." She added: "I'm determined to see this journey to the bitter end for me and every other rape victim let down by our criminal justice system." The newspaper reported the funding amounts to £2,500. A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: "This has been a particularly unique and complex case which required detailed consideration. "After careful assessment ministers have decided to award legal aid in this case." Goodwillie currently plays for West of Scotland League side Glasgow United, but at the time of the attack he and Robertson played for Dundee United. Speaking on a podcast in 2023, Goodwillie denied any wrongdoing, saying: "I'm an innocent man. "I still say to this day, I'm walking about free, I'm not on the sex offenders' register, I've not got any charges for this, I don't even have a criminal record any more." Robertson previously denied any wrongdoing.
