Many people love television shows as ‘guilty pleasures’; including the legendary singer Freddie Mercury.
Television shows have a special way of bringing people together, even if they’re quite different. From the old black-and-white classics of the 1930s to the current day, watching TV shows has become a tradition. People gather around the TV in the evening to enjoy their favorite soaps and dramas.
Many popular figures and celebrities have found joy in watching soap operas. Take Princess Diana, for instance, who was a big fan of ABC’s General Hospital. She even sent gifts to the show’s set.
Freddie Mercury, the legendary Queen frontman, was also a soap opera lover. He dedicated one of Queen’s popular music videos to the famous soap Coronation Street. It seems that people from all walks of life can’t resist the allure of scandal and intrigue that these shows provide.
Yes, Coronation Street is one of Freddie Mercury’s Guilty Pleasures, along with Eastenders.
The creative idea behind the music video for “I Want to Break Free” by Queen came from their drummer, Roger Taylor. In this video, the band members dressed in drag, parodying a character from Coronation Street. While the concept of drag was not unfamiliar to British viewers, the video raised eyebrows in the US.
Interestingly, Freddie Mercury was well-acquainted with Coronation Street too. As shared by Peter “Phoebe” Freestone, who worked as Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant for over a decade, Freddie enjoyed watching Coronation Street. Moreover, he didn’t stop at just one show. He also found enjoyment in watching episodes of the BBC’s Eastenders.
Mercury’s interest in Eastenders had a personal touch. His girlfriend at the time, Anita Dobson, portrayed the character Angie Watts on the show. While Mercury wasn’t an overly zealous fan, his support for Dobson and her role likely contributed to his interest in the show.
If you’re eager to get a glimpse into the TV soaps that Freddie Mercury considered guilty pleasrues, you’re in luck. You can stream episodes of both Coronation Street (HULU) and Eastenders (AMAZON PRIME) easily. By doing so, you can feel a little closer to the rock legend himself and share in his appreciation for these engaging soap operas.
