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Remembering Kenny Everett: The Audacious Life of a Radio Legend
British radio icon Kenny Everett, famed for his exuberant personality and groundbreaking broadcasting style as a Radio 1 DJ, lived a life punctuated by daring escapades and unconventional choices. From famously accompanying Princess Diana to a gay bar incognito, disguised as part of Freddie Mercury’s entourage, to embracing a polyamorous relationship, his existence was anything but ordinary. Everett’s vibrant journey was tragically curtailed by AIDS-related complications in 1995, a mere six years after his HIV diagnosis.
A Life Well-Lived and a Memorable Escapade with Royalty
Despite his untimely passing at the age of 50, Kenny Everett left behind a substantial £1.51 million estate, a testament to his successful career. His life was packed with memorable moments, perhaps none more so than the recounted tale of Princess Diana’s incognito visit to a London gay bar. Everett, leveraging his close friendship with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury – forged after Kenny became the pioneering DJ to air ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – orchestrated the outing. He reportedly championed the Princess’s desire for a relaxed evening, exclaiming, “Let the girl have some fun!”
Behind the Scenes with Princess Diana and Cleo Rocos
According to close friend and colleague Cleo Rocos, such extraordinary scenarios were commonplace in Everett’s world. Rocos, who starred alongside him on the popular BBC series ‘The Kenny Everett Television Show,’ which captivated audiences of up to 20 million viewers, shared a close bond with the DJ both on and off-screen.
A Night at the Vauxhall Tavern
Rocos recounted Everett’s playful warnings to Diana about the Vauxhall Tavern, mentioning the potential presence of “hairy men who fight.” However, the Princess remained determined to experience the evening. Everett, humorously imagining alarming headlines like “Future Queen of England Dies in Gay Bar Brawl,” cautiously agreed. Their visit to the Vauxhall Tavern was brief, lasting only 20 minutes before Diana was discreetly sent back to Kensington Palace by taxi. Nevertheless, Princess Diana reportedly described the experience as “fabulous.”
Cleo Rocos, in an interview with The Mirror, reminisced about the lighthearted atmosphere: “When we got together with her there was edge to edge laughter… Kenny would say things like ‘When is the Queen going to get off the throne and give you a go?’”
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Personal Life and Relationships: From Marriage to Ménage à Trois
Kenny Everett’s personal life was also a source of public fascination. Initially married to psychic Audrey Lee Middleton in 1969, he later publicly came out as gay in 1985. Subsequently, he entered into an unconventional living arrangement with two partners.
He openly discussed his “ménage à trois” with boyfriends Pepe and Nikolai, a decision that marked a significant departure from his strict Catholic upbringing. Tragically, Everett contracted HIV from Nikolai, a former Russian soldier, leading to his death in 1995.
Enduring Legacy and Cultural Impact
Kenny Everett’s impact as a DJ, television personality, and comedian remains firmly etched in popular culture. Beyond his mainstream success, he contributed his voice to the ‘Charley Says’ public information films. An excerpt from one of these animated shorts was even sampled by The Prodigy in their 1992 hit song ‘Charly’.
Tribute Programme on Channel 5
Kenny Everett’s remarkable life and lasting legacy are being commemorated in a special Easter Sunday broadcast, ‘The Cancellation Of Kenny Everett,’ airing tonight, April 20th, at 9 pm on Channel 5.