Freddie Mercury has millions of fans all over the world, but admits he has few friends.

“When you’re a celebrity, it’s hard to approach somebody and say: ‘Look, I’m normal underneath.’ Then what happens is the tread all over me because by trying to be normal to somebody, suddenly I’ve come out of my shell and become far more vulnerable than most people.

Because I’m successful and have a lot of money, a lot of greedy people prey on me. But that’s something I’ve learned to deal with. I’m riddled with scars and I just don’t want any more.”

Instead Freddie turns to his fans to feel wanted again. He said: “I find even when people have let you down, you just want to go on stage. It’s very gratifying to know that all sorts of people want you.”

Freddie Mercury interview 1985

The beautiful picture is from Queens’s 1986 ‘Magic Tour