6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mystery of Freddie Mercury's 'secret' daughter to be explored in new documentary
The story of Freddie Mercury's daughter is to be explored as part of a new documentary that will be released by Channel 5 later this year
The story of Freddie Mercury's daughter is to be explored as part of a new documentary.
The Queen legend, who died in 1991 at the age of 45 after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, fathered a daughter in the 1970s according to evidence gathered by his most prolific biographer. According to this new investigation by Lesley-Ann Jones, Freddie kept private journals and notebooks in which he recorded his life story and innermost thoughts, and documented his relationship with his daughter over a period of 14 years.
Channel 5 have now commissioned Freddie Mercury: A Secret Daughter, which will air as a 90-minute special, and air later this year to coincide with the publication of Jones' new book Love, Freddie this September. The feature will explore the 'warm and loving relationship' the Bohemian Rhapsody singer had with his alleged daughter, as well as delve into his early childhood in Zanzibar and incredible life as a rock star.
The programme has unprecedented access to the journals via Lesley-Ann, who was offered them by 'B', who in turn says that Freddie handed them to her himself. According to "B", this will be the first and only time that Freddie's true life story will have been told by his own flesh and blood.
Lesley-Ann learned about the personal documents when 'B' tracked her down and contacted her. The two women developed a friendship over several years, which culminated in 'B' granting Lesley-Ann permission to share the contents of the journals, as well as her own memories of Freddie, for a new book entitled Love, Freddie. In it, Jones presents what could be a fresh understanding of Freddie's private life and personal struggles. According to 'B', this will be the first and only time that Freddie's true life story will have been told by his own flesh and blood.
According to Lesley-Ann, despite being raised by her step-dad, B knew from toddler age that Freddie was her father. In her family home, the singer even had a room in their house, in order to spend as much quality time with her as possible. While the iconic star was on tour around the world with his band Queen or penning new tracks in the recording studio, Freddie made sure he would call B everyday.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Lesley- Ann told the publication: "She knew from toddlerhood which of the two men was her real father. Outside the unusual family, privacy and discretion were maintained to a degree that not even some members of Freddie's personal household had any idea that he had a child."
Lesley-Ann Jones said: 'Having spent a quarter of a century researching and writing books about Freddie Mercury, and having covered Queen's performances on the road, I thought I knew virtually all that there was to know about him. I was wrong. Working with his only child and next of kin over several years to create the book that tells his true story in his and his daughter's own words has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I could never have imagined this hidden Freddie. Yet he was real.'
Bosses are also thrilled with the production of the new doc, which is a joint production with Honey Bee, who have also worked on programmes with the likes of Ross Kemp, Bradley Walsh and Jeremy Clarkson and have also fronted Netflix docs centering on British brands such as Greggs, Tesco and Costco.
Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning, 5, commented: ' This new investigation by Freddie's most well-known biographer gives new insight into one of the world's most famous and iconic rock legends. Freddie the loving father is a side that apparently virtually no-one saw. Over many years, Lesley-Ann has become close with 'B', gaining her trust and confidence. This is her story.'
Ed Taylor, Executive Producer, Honey Bee said: "Freddie Mercury has long been celebrated as a rock icon, but thanks to journalist Lesley-Ann Jones's extraordinary three-year investigation, this film offers an entirely different perspective – Freddie as a doting father and loving family man. It's a great privilege to be working with 5 again to bring this new viewpoint to the screen".
