TV pick of the week: Freddie Mercury - The Great Pretender: An Imagine Special

i Newspaper
 
TheIPaper
The Independent around the web
E-break Time
Independent Crossword
Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story

Grace Dent on Television: Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story, BBC4

Annoyingly, the Beeb's Kenny Everett story really was in the best possible taste

American Idol star Lambert, left, looks the part and hits the notes with ease

Queen, Hammersmith Apollo, London
Kimya Dawson, The Haunt, Brighton

Brian May thinks Adam Lambert's 'a keeper', and the audience agrees

Riley says: 'Movie heaven would be shooting with my missus, in Berlin, and getting paid millions'

My Secret Life: Sam Riley, actor, 31

The household I grew up in... was full – like a zoo. I have two brothers and a little sister, and she had rabbits, and there was a cat, but it was mainly my brothers and I who were the animals.

Katy Perry records tribute to Freddie Mercury

Katy Perry has filmed a video tribute for Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday today.

The Killers, Scala, London

It's a treat to see a multi platinum-selling band in such a small venue. Tonight, the intimacy of the Scala's modest space is magnified by the presence of the world-famous musicians who take to the stage with a smile.

Final Freddie Mercury performance discovered

Freddie Mercury's final poignant screen appearance will be shown tonight in a documentary which has uncovered unseen footage from Queen's most famous videos.

Barça better than 2009 side who beat United, says Ferrer

When Albert Ferrer returns to Wembley next Saturday night, he will see history repeat itself one way or another for his old club Barcelona. The only question is which year it will be: 1991, when the Catalans lost the Cup Winners' Cup final to Manchester United in the Rotterdam rain, or 1992, when Johan Cruyff told them "Go out and enjoy yourselves" and they did just that, winning the club's first European Cup beneath the old Twin Towers?

Sacha Baron Cohen to play The Dictator

Sacha Baron Cohen is to portray a Saddam Hussein-inspired character in a new movie.

Diamond Star Halo, By Tiffany Murray

The mixed blessings of growing up in the Seventies have been the subject of any number of memorable novels, but Tiffany Murray's new book is one of the few to give the adjective "kooky" back its good name.

Axl Rose 'greatest lead singer'

Guns N'Roses star Axl Rose, who kept the world waiting 15 years for his comeback album, has been declared the greatest lead singer of all time.

Cultural Life: Dappy, musician

Music: I'm listening to lots of Freddie Mercury at the moment. My dad always played Queen when we were growing up, so he is a huge inspiration to me. His voice is killer. I'm also listening to Michael Bublé. I love his voice, the melodies, the way he writes music; he is a true talent. People will be surprised by what influences N-Dubz! Whilst we were in the studio we were listening to a lot of Phil Collins. Every song on his 'Hits' album is a classic, the man is a genius. We're not bothered about what people may think is cool – I just love good songs.

'Is it because I has a mankini?' Ali G creator to take on Queen

Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury in a film about the star's colourful life

Sacha Baron Cohen to play Queen star Freddie Mercury



Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen is to swap moustaches for his latest role - after signing up to play late Queen star Freddie Mercury.

Frank Sidebottom: The man in the paper mask

A profile of the comedian, who died this week, first published in <i>The Independent</i> in 1991
Career Services

Day In a Page

Independent Travel Shop See all offers »
India and Shimla
14 nights from only £1899pp Find out more
Prague city break
Three nights from £199pp Find out more
4* Soreda hotel break, Malta
Seven nights all-inclusive from £399pp Find out more
California and the golden west
14 nights from £1,499pp Find out more
Venice city break
Two nights from only £199pp - third night free on selected dates Find out more
Blu St Lucia, St Lucia, Caribbean
Up to 42% off
OFFER ENDS 26 MAY Find out more
Hotel Savoy, Rome, Italy
Up to 61% off
OFFER ENDS 26 MAY Find out more
Spa day at Nutfield Priory Hotel, Redhill, Surrey
Up to 30% off
OFFER ENDS 26 MAY Find out more
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats
Giro d'Italia: The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

As the Giro d'Italia tackles the brutal climb, Simon Usborne takes on the snow and switchbacks – and soon realises what the fuss is about
National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

Sent down at the Old Bailey

A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal

British football scores an own goal

Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again