Rami Malek shares story of how Freddie Mercury was persuaded to play Live Aid

"I don’t know if Bob Geldof will kill me for this"

Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek has revealed the charming story of how legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was persuaded to play Live Aid, long before the event became the most famous performance in the band’s history.

Malek, who yesterday won the best actor BAFTA for his portrayal of Mercury, told red carpet hosts Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary how he met up with Bob Geldof on Saturday evening.

Geldof, who played an integral role in organising the 1985 concert, told Malek how he rang Mercury in a last-ditch attempt to secure Queen’s involvement in the now-iconic concert.

Advertisement

“I don’t know if Bob Geldof will kill me for this but I saw him and met him last night and what he said to me is he called Freddie and he told them, ‘Freddie, I think that there’s an event that was made especially for Queen and especially for you'”, Malek explained.

“And he goes, ‘This audience is made for Freddie,’ and Freddie said, ‘What do you mean, darling?’ and he said, ‘Well, it’s the world’ and Freddie goes, ‘I see what you mean.”

Malek’s meeting with Geldof came as he continues to sweep awards season – where he remains the hot favourite to scoop Best Actor at the Oscars next Sunday.

Paying tribute to Mercury during last night’s acceptance speech, Malek said: “To the greatest outsider of them all.

Advertisement

“For being so unwavering and unflinching and uncompromising in every which way. Thank you Freddie Mercury again.”

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories