'He tried to protect us': Freddie Mercury's mum on heartbreaking last time together

Had Jer realised her son was dying the last time she saw him? “Of course,” she said. “He didn’t have to say anything. I knew he was very ill.”

Jer said that neither his sexuality nor his illness were ever talked about: “He protected us by never discussing these matters.

“It is quite different now, but back then it would have been very hard for him to tell us – and we respected his feelings.”

Indeed, Freddie’s health had deteriorated quite severely and rapidly as the week went on. He was looked after by Peter, his partner Jim Hutton, his ex-girlfriend Mary Austin, his ex-boyfriend (and live-in chef) Joe Fanelli, and close friend Dave Clarke. Plus, of course, his six cats.

source: express.co.uk