Interest in Queen has skyrocketed once again in recent months, thanks to the success of biopic Bohemian Rhapsody – in which Rami Malek put in an Oscar-winning performance as Mercury. Now, appearing on BBC’s The One Show to promote a new photography book, May recalled that Mercury too was a keen camera fiend, and it highlighted a generous habit he had.
Asked by host Alex Jones if Mercury was a photographer, May said: “He was. He loved his Polaroids.”
It seems the megastar would take candid photos of his loved ones and then gift them with the only copies.
“He used to take masses of Polaroids of all his friends, portraits, and then give them all away,” May said.
“It was just one of Freddie’s things. Very generous nature, Freddie. He loved photography.”
May also reflected on the enormous success of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Speaking about the climactic Live Aid sequence, he said: “They did an incredible job with that. Every nut and bolt… It’s very clever.
“The boys, the four of them [who played Queen], are unbelievable.
“They lived us. They didn’t really act it. They became us and believed it, and we believed them.
“Rami’s sensational, he’s got every award under the sun now.”
There have now been rumours that a sequel has been discussed, but this remains unconfirmed.
After breaking records at the box office, it went on to be a huge smash hit on home video as well.
Bohemian Rhapsody is out now on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.