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Freddie Mercury: The Final Act

The extraordinary story of Freddie Mercury’s battle with Aids and the groundbreaking tribute concert Queen staged in his memory after he died.

The story of the extraordinary final chapter of Freddie Mercury’s life and how, after his death from Aids, Queen staged one of the biggest concerts in history, the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium, to celebrate his life and challenge the prejudices around HIV/Aids.

The film hears from those who performed at the epic gig, including Gary Cherone (Extreme), Roger Daltrey (The Who), Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Lisa Stansfield and Paul Young, as well as the concert’s promoter, Harvey Goldsmith.

For the first time, Freddie's story is told alongside the experiences of those who tested positive for HIV and lost loved ones during the same period. Medical practitioners, survivors and human rights campaigners, including Peter Tatchell, recount the intensity of living through the Aids pandemic and the moral panic it brought about.

Radio 2 is celebrating 50 years of Queen. Vote for your favourite Queen track at bbc.co.uk/queenvote.

5 days left to watch

1 hour, 29 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Aug 2024 23:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Queen

    Brighton Rock

  • 00:02

    Queen

    Under Pressure

  • 00:06

    Queen

    Somebody To Love

  • 00:09

    Queen

    Crazy Little Thing Called Love

  • 00:13

    Queen

    I Want To Break Free

  • 00:18

    Queen

    Who Wants To Live Forever

  • 00:27

    Freddie Mercury

    The Great Pretender

  • 00:34

    Queen

    Breakthru

  • 00:37

    Queen

    Headlong

  • 00:39

    Queen

    The Show Must Go On

  • 00:43

    Queen

    These Are The Days Of Our Lives

  • 00:43

    Queen, George Michael & Lisa Stansfield

    These Are The Days Of Our Lives

  • 00:46

    Henry Jackman

    X-Men: First Class

  • 00:54

    Queen

    Bohemian Rhapsody

  • 01:05

    Def Leppard, Brian May

    Now I'm Here

  • 01:11

    Queen & David Bowie

    Under Pressure

  • 01:11

    Lisa Stansfield

    I Want To Break Free

  • 01:21

    George Michael, Queen

    Somebody To Love

  • 01:24

    Liza Minnelli

    We Are The Champions

  • 01:27

    Queen

    A Winter's Tale

Credits

Interviewed Guest Brian May
Executive Producer Mark Hedgecoe
Executive Producer Soleta Rogan
Producer Dan Hall
Director James Rogan
Production Company Rogan Productions

Broadcasts

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