Latest news with #WeWillRockYou
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Brian May issues emotional message over wife Anita Dobson after health scare
Queen rocker Brian May has shared a rare comment about his actress wife Anita Dobson following her win at the Soap Awards and his terrifying health scare last year Brian May has made a rare comment about his wife Anita Dobson following her Soap Awards win. The Queen rocker, 77, gushed over the actress as she took home the Scene of the Year gong at the annual award ceremony. EastEnders icon Anita, 76, made a dramatic comeback as her beloved character Angie Watts on the soap, and the move secured her win. Speaking before she was presented with the gong, Anita: 'It was just perfect.' Asked if she could return again, she admitted: 'I don't think so, although I should say never say never, it would have to be something extra special.' Brian made sure to congratulate Anita as he issued a public message of support to his wife. Taking to X, he gushed: "Congratulations Anita Dobson!!! "My incredibly talented lady wife --- winner of the Scene of the Year award - for returning as a ghost from another life to shake the East End one more time !! Massively proud !!! Bri." Actress Anita, who has been married to Brian for 24 years, spoke out about the musician's health earlier this year following his terrifying stroke. In September, Brian said that 'out of the blue' he suddenly lost control of his left arm, and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance where he was diagnosed with a stroke. He was later told to take it easy and made the announcement himself with a social media video. Earlier this year, Anita revealed Brian was in a "stable" condition. Anita gave a reassuring four-word answer while on Good Morning Britain. She said: "He's very well now", before adding: "I'm very happy to say, thank you both for asking, he's very well now, he's back to his old self!" The We Will Rock You legend took to Instagram to share the news with his followers last year: "I hope you're all well out there. I'm here to bring you first of all some good news. "I think the good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days and I say this because it was in some doubt because that little health hiccup that I mentioned happened about a week ago and what they called it was a minor stroke and all of a sudden - out of the blue - I didn't have any control over this arm so was a little scary." He also heaped praise on the medical team at Frimley Hospital in Camberley, Surrey, for their excellent care. Brian added: "I have to say I had the most fantastic care and attention from Frimley Hospital where I went blue lights flashing... the lot. Very exciting!" In 2020, Brian also suffered a heart attack, and fears he 'could have died' at the time, having initially thought he had simply suffered a gardening injury. He subsequently had his heart fitted with three stents, which are tiny tubes that hold open blocked arteries, that helped him recover.
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.
Metro
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Freddie Mercury's secret child 'revealed' over 30 years after his death
It's been 34 years since Queen legend Freddie Mercury died, and now details of his alleged secret child have come to light. Mercury died in November 1991 at the age of 45, his cause of death being bronchial pneumonia as a result of AIDS. The We Will Rock You hitmaker had released a public statement just 24 hours earlier, confirming that he had tested HIV positive and had AIDS. Mercury famously had relationships with both men and women throughout his life, having once stated he was bisexual. The 'love of [his] life', though, was Mary Austin, whom he began dating in the early 70s and enjoyed a long-term romance with. Following their split, they remained very close friends, and Austin later inherited his London home. While Austin went on to marry painting artist Piers Cameron and have two children – one of whom Mercury was godfather to – her rock star ex allegedly fathered a child with another woman after striking up a brief fling with a pal's wife. In a new book titled Love, Freddie, written by biographer Lesley-Ann Jones, the so-called secret daughter speaks out for the first time. She was born in 1976 – one year after Bohemian Rhapsody became a hit – but is referred to only as 'B' in the biography. Up until now, it's believed only Mercury's Queen bandmates, parents, sister, and former partner, Austin, knew about the child's identity. According to the Daily Mail, a handwritten letter from B is included in the new book, stating: 'Freddie Mercury was and is my father.' It's believed she is far from an estranged daughter, as B claims: 'We had a very close and loving relationship from the moment I was born and throughout the final 15 years of his life. '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.' She adds that Mercury 'cherished [her] like a treasured possession.' 'After more than three decades of lies, speculation, and distortion, it is time to let Freddie speak,' B adds, saying Mercury's loved ones kept his 'greatest secret' out of 'loyalty' to him. 'That I choose to reveal myself in my own midlife is my decision and mine alone.' She also claims her father gave her 17 volumes of his personal journals before his devastating death. Now aged 48, B lives in Europe and works in medicine. She also has children of her own. As for Jones, she explained to the Mail that she was dubious when B first reached out to her, and her instinct was to 'doubt everything'. 'But I am absolutely sure she is not a fantasist,' the writer declares. Jones has also written books on the likes of David Bowie, John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, and members of the Rolling Stones. She says B first contacted her three years ago, but says the mystery child 'never asked for money' and 'does not want recognition'. 'Both Freddie and her stepfather left her extremely wealthy,' claims Jones. 'She was not provided for through Freddie's will, but by a private, legal arrangement, so no one will find her mentioned there.' She adds: '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.' While the daughter was raised by her mother and her mother's husband, it's believed Mercury had a room at their house, allowing him to see her and maintain contact. He also spoke to his daughter 'every day', even while away recording and touring, as he was a 'hands-on' father. B says she always knew Mercury was her dad. The identity of her mother has always remained a closely guarded secret, but it's understood she died several years ago. After splitting from Austin – Mercury later still referred to her as his 'only friend' – the We Are the Champions vocalist became subject to intense scrutiny and speculation regarding his sexuality. Having drifted further towards the gay scene, he began an intense relationship with German restaurateur Winfried 'Winnie' Kirchberger. By 1985, he had begun another long-term relationship with Irish-born hairdresser Jim Hutton, who died in 2010. More Trending Mercury once referred to him as his 'husband' and said he couldn't have 'asked for better'. Hutton, who tested positive for HIV in 1990, was by Mercury's side when he died. The Don't Stop Me Now rocker was cremated wearing a gold wedding band given to him by Hutton in 1986. Love, Freddie: Freddie Mercury's Secret Life and Love Hardcover – 5 Sept. 2025 is released on September 5. Representatives for Mary Austin have been contacted for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Bohemian Rhapsody producer Roy Thomas Baker dies aged 78
Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Hollywood's biggest bore? Why Robert De Niro desperately needs a new script
There are many things to say about the two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro. How he has acquired, and maintained, a reputation as the finest actor of his generation, despite appearing in more bad films than any thespian of comparable talent, save his friend and occasional co-star Al Pacino. How he has made a fortune out of pursuing business ventures outside of acting, most famously investing in the Nobu restaurant group, but also in everything from jukebox musicals (We Will Rock You) to real estate; he is said to own a substantial proportion of the upmarket Tribeca neighbourhood in his native New York. But has De Niro ever made any public comment about any of these things? No, he has not. Or at least, if he has, it will be a mumbled couple of words. It is now clear to any seasoned De Niro observer that the man hates being interviewed, whether out of shyness, deep contempt for journalists or something else entirely. He refuses to put a coherent or interesting sentence together, and when he does say something, it is either painfully banal or simply gnomic. Some would call this his prerogative; others would describe it simply as rudeness. Yet it is a prerequisite of the film business that its best-loved practitioners agree to answer questions, usually to promote a new picture. In the case of De Niro, he usually leaves everyone wishing that he hadn't bothered. Very quickly, this #Cannes Robert De Niro conversation is getting sapped of its standing-o energy (partly because De Niro has always been man of few words, partly because interviewer JR — yes, the photographer — is getting stuck in go-nowhere questions). JR, mention Trump, quick! — Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) May 14, 2025 The latest embarrassment occurred at this year's Cannes film festival, when De Niro, who is in the process of making a mysterious but fascinating-sounding documentary about his parents and their artistic lives, was interviewed on stage by his collaborator JR, a French street photographer and artist. It did not go well. The event was billed as a 'Rendezvous with Robert De Niro', but the actor, who was also awarded an honorary Palme d'Or at the festival – perhaps in a failed attempt to keep him sweet – appeared reticent at best, answering most of the questions he was asked with a shrug and 'Sometimes' or similarly vague answers. Variety magazine, usually positive when it comes to reporting such events, described De Niro's demeanour as 'hostile', and one attendee tweeted, then deleted, their thoughts on the conversation: 'surreally catastrophic'. Yet De Niro's reticence – or rudeness – is sufficiently well known for his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio to remark, while giving him the Palme d'Or, that 'The thing about Bob is, he doesn't say much, but when he does, it matters. If I'm lucky, I'll get a nod from him tonight, maybe even a half-smile, and I will take that as a standing ovation.' At the fateful Rendezvous, there were not even many nods or half smiles, just an apparent weary contempt for the whole process. If one wished to take on the thankless task of defending De Niro, one could cite his age (he's 81), likely jetlag and unwillingness to expose himself in front of an audience of strangers. Yet he has consistently been one of the least rewarding interviewees in the industry. The great writer Chris Heath famously wrote a GQ profile of him in 2006 entitled And Now, 972 Words from Robert De Niro, in which he detailed the utterly miserable process of attempting to interview the actor about The Good Shepherd, the wildly underrated film he directed about the foundation of the CIA. Heath found himself being given short, unsatisfactory bursts of time with De Niro. He was treated like a supplicant at a medieval court, and when he was eventually allowed into the great man's presence, he was treated like an unwelcome interloper. Heath wrote incisively that 'there are fascinating flashes… but the conversation always splutters, at best, and often dries up completely. It seems as though each sentence gets checked before it is said, and then checked again as it's being said, and that faced with these tests, he rarely has enough faith in the sentence still being worth saying – with all its possibilities of being misunderstood or misconstrued.' When Heath did get a response, it was dry to the point of pointless. Asking De Niro how he felt knowing that Taxi Driver had inspired John Hinckley to attempt to assassinate Ronald Reagan, the actor replied, 'Well, I felt bad about it. I don't know. You know, people are… crazy. What are you gonna do.' This is not the kind of response that makes for sparkling profiles, and most of the feature ended up being about the unfortunate conversational lacunae that came about from De Niro's unwillingness – or refusal – to engage. It is also depressing because he is a man who has been involved in some of the greatest American films ever made, and should be a fascinating source of anecdote and insight into them. Instead, you're lucky to get a couple of words about the weather. Of late, a pattern has developed. De Niro will only give interviews if the subject is of apparent great importance to him, such as a soft-focus recent Times piece about a new hotel that he has opened in the Bahamas, where rooms cost £2,000 a night. De Niro's response when asked about his extra-curricular activities – 'Yeah, just something to keep busy' – was typically useless, and the poor interviewer noted, 'His answers, perhaps more in line with his on-screen mode, have a tendency towards the monosyllabic.' One can only imagine that being asked to interview the actor is a punishment given to under-performing writers. It seems a deeply painful and agonising process all round. Yet if De Niro is riled up, he becomes more interesting, and certainly more vocal. He publicly lambasted the tech mogul Stewart Butterfield in 2015 for making an offhand remark about his acting career. 'I thought you were condescending to us actors, celebrities,' De Niro said. 'I'm going to go on record with you just to say that. And I don't give a f–k who you are.' And, of course, there is the one subject that De Niro is guaranteed to be vocal about: Donald Trump. Interviewers who had long since despaired of getting anything but the most basic of answers out of the actor were delighted, and surprised, when his obvious and deep hatred of the President meant that he suddenly found his voice. In 2016, he lambasted Trump as 'an idiot, a national disaster, an embarrassment to this country… this fool, this bozo'. This newfound gift of the gab was again on display at Cannes this year when he announced that 'America's philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions [the Kennedy Centre ]. He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities and education.' For a man given to shrugs and murmurs, this was Gettysburg-level stuff. But even this angry eloquence can be hit and miss. Interviewers hoping to get some insights from De Niro, and wanting an old-fashioned rant in the process, have often been told instead that he is not interested in talking about politics. And sometimes, he goes the other way entirely. In 2023, he was awarded the Gotham Historic Icon award, and realised that his trademark searing remarks about Trump had been censored from the teleprompter, leading him to say, petulantly, that 'I don't really feel like thanking [Apple and the Gotham Awards] at all for what they did.' Some might regard this as the principled expression of a deep-rooted moral code. Others, who attach less importance to the witterings of millionaire actors, might see it as stone-cold rudeness. De Niro has often been accused of shortness, if not active hostility, to those members of the public he is faced with in professional situations. He notoriously walked out of an interview with that hard-hitting magazine, the Radio Times, in 2015, when the journalist dared to ask him whether Tribeca had become an enclave for plutocrats. And his personal failings were brutally exposed in a civil suit by a former personal assistant of his, in which she claimed that the actor called her a bitch and a brat, and that he demanded that she scratch his back. An outraged De Niro shouted 'Shame on you' in court when the allegation was made. The assistant was awarded $1.3 million in damages, albeit from De Niro's production company, rather than the man himself, but it still contributed to a sense that he is a tightly wound, often angry man who either is sullen or volcanic when faced with situations (read: interviews) that he doesn't like. None of this detracts from his standing as an actor, and his stunning performances in his most recent Martin Scorsese collaborations, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon, are a clear indication that he's still just as able a performer as he's ever been – when he can be bothered. Yet his latest display at Cannes is also a grim reminder that being brilliant and being difficult are not mutually exclusive, and this is likely to continue as long as he remains in the public eye. Even seasoned pros such as Graham Norton seem to find it all but impossible to get anything meaningful or even usable out of De Niro, who sits on chat show sofas with that curious rigid grin that he displays when he's uncomfortable, and refuses to trot out the time-honoured anecdotes that his peers have stored up for decades. It is possible, of course, that De Niro isn't shy, or rude, but simply deeply boring. All the qualities that make him so electrifying on screen – the unpredictability, the intelligence, the wit – seem entirely absent from the real-life man, and instead he now comes across as a grumpy octogenarian. The inevitable question is why he bothers, if the whole process causes him (and whichever poor sap has been sent to get his thoughts) so much discomfort. Still, after you've weathered the unspeakably embarrassing sight of Tom Hiddleston doing an impersonation of you – to your face! – on a chat show, all things are relative, even this latest debacle.
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical' will close on the West End after seven years
It's been some time since a really big West End musical has closed on us, but alas: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical has just announced that it'll be ending its run this September after seven years at the Aldwych Theatre. That's no mean feat – a handful of behemoths like Les Mis have enjoyed decades-long runs, but with its mix of massive pop hits and gripping true story, the autobiographical Tina has enjoyed a lifespan far greater than the average musical, and it must stand as one of the more successful jukebox shows in history, beaten only by Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You, Buddy and Jersey Boys. It certainly feels like it opened in a different world – legendary rock singer Turner was still with us on its press night, where she made one of her final public appearances. Now it's due to be off, but it leaves in good order, with a final four months left to go before it departs London as the longest running show to ever play the 1,200-seat Aldwych. On the plus side, where one door closes another opens and we're liable to see something new at the theatre shortly thereafter. There is no word yet on what it'll be and the the usual theatre rumour mills are largely stumped: historically the Aldwych tends to to play host to musicals, though a play could easily plug the gap temporarily; there are a lot of Broadway hits sloshing around that could easily move in, or a new show like A Knight's Tale, currently having out of town tryouts in Manchester. Tina announcing its departure strongly suggests the next show is a done deal, however, and we'll probably hear something about the next one relatively soon.
