Coleen Nolan’s heartbreaking tribute to sister Linda one year after her death

The singer passed away aged 65 after a long journey with secondary breast cancer on January 15, 2025

Coleen Nolan has posted a heartbreaking tribute to her sister Linda one year after her death. The singer passed away aged 65 after a long journey with secondary breast cancer on January 15, 2025.

Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and was given the all-clear in 2011. But in 2017 – four years after the death of her sister Bernie, aged 52 in 2013 – Linda was told the disease had returned after tumours were found in her hip bone and pelvis. Like Bernie, she was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer but remained determined to make the most of the time she had left.

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Posting some pictures of herself with Linda on Instagram, Coleen marked the anniversary by writing: “One year without you Linda, love and miss you everyday”.

The Daily Mirror Columnist passed away with her famous sisters at her side – just days after her last poignant piece for this newspaper . Her final hours were said to have been full of “love and comfort.”

In a statement released to the Mirror , agent Dermot McNamara, said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Nolan , the celebrated Irish pop legend, television personality, Guinness World Record holding West End star, Sunday Times bestselling author and Daily Mirror columnist. She passed at around 10:20am at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the MCEW Ward. The family said the hospital couldn’t do enough, they were tireless.”

The statement continued: “She passed peacefully, with her loving siblings by her bedside, ensuring she was embraced with love and comfort during her final moments. Linda’s legacy extends beyond her incredible achievements in music and entertainment. She was a beacon of hope and resilience, sharing her journey to raise awareness and inspire others. Rest in peace, Linda. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”

Tributes poured in for the Irish singer on social media, and the Loose Women panel paid an emotional tribute to Coleen’s loss with host Christine Lampard saying: “Some very sad news for you now. Linda Nolan, Coleen’s sister, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017 has died at the age of 65.”

Her sisters – Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 69, and Coleen, 59 – were called to her bedside at 3.30am on the Tuesday prior to her death as doctors made the decision to place her in end-of-life care. They kept a vigil by her side in her final hours.

Her agent acknowledged her achievements as a singer, West End star, TV personality, charity campaigner, author and a founding member of The Nolans – who sold more than 30million records, performed for President Gerald Ford and toured with Fran Sinatra.

The statement read: “As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success, touring the world and selling over 30 million records, with hits such as Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention to Me and the iconic disco classic I’m In The Mood for Dancing. Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.

“Linda also dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Breast Cancer Ireland and Samaritans, amongst countless others. Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.”

She decided to use her fame and humour to help others going through a similar ordeal, including her sister Anne, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020 just days after Linda was told her cancer had spread to her liver. The sisters went through chemotherapy together but while Anne went into remission, Linda’s cancer could only ever be slowed down, not cured.

In 2023, Linda discovered it had moved to her brain, but she threw herself into charity work – and led the campaign for wonderdrug Enhertu to be made available to all secondary breast cancer sufferers on the NHS . She also appeared on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip with Status Quo’s Francis Rossi. In February, fans lined the streets of Blackpool to say their final farewells at Linda’s funeral.

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Jesy Nelson’s fiancé pens heartbreaking letter to ‘warrior’ twins after devastating diagnosis

Jesy Nelson’s fiance Zion Foster has written a heart wrenching tribute to his baby girls following their devastating health diagnosis – admitting that their daughters ‘already know how to fight’

Jesy Nelson’s fiance Zion Foster has written a heartbreaking tribute to his baby twins following their SMA diagnosis, confessing “I hear your strength every time you cry.”

After a challenging pregnancy, Zion and Jesy were overjoyed to welcome twin baby daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe last May. But that joy swiftly turned to heartache, when she revealed at the beginning of January that her babies had been diagnosed with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Sadly, it the most severe form of a rare muscle wasting disease, which only some 50 children in the UK are born with each year and it means, devastatingly, their adorable twins may never be able to walk.

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Now Zion, 27, who like former Little Mix star Jesy is also a musician, has shared a beautiful poem written about his eight-month-old girls. He said: “They said it’s unlikely you’ll walk, you may not be able to talk, probably won’t be able to hold your head up, that’s what me and Jesy heard – SMA Type 1. And it became so clear, doctors only go near what they can measure, so what’s certain?

“I watch your smiles like sunsets, not promised, but real. I listen to you babble the sweetest melodies, in the moment it makes me wonder, if I keep telling you who I want you to be, what I want you to do, what I expect from you, am I loving you, or am I loving my fear?

“If I take you for how God knitted you, just as you are, nothing removed, am I loving you? Am I accepting you?”

Zion added: “Story, is your heart okay? Ocean, how’s your mind? I hear strength in your lungs every time you cry, two little warrior girls who already know how to fight.

“Honestly, my worry isn’t the milestones, isn’t forcing life to live a different way. My worry is quieter than that, deeper. It’s about accepting you, loving you for who you are right now, without conditions. No matter what tomorrow brings, and no matter what yesterday was.”

Last week, a tearful Jesy, 34, appeared on This Morning, and opened up to Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley about their unexpected new life, saying, “I just want to be their mum. I don’t want to be a nurse. It’s hard”. She added emotionally, “They’ve had their treatment, thank God. A one-off infusion. That puts the gene back in their body that they don’t have. It stops the muscles still working from dying. Any that have gone, you can’t regain them back.

“Now it’s down to constant physio. We’ve been told they’ll probably never walk or regain their neck strength. They’ll probably be in wheelchairs.”

But like Zion, Jesy is trying to remain positive – and confessed she was trying to “manifest” the best possible outcome for her girls, who must attend Great Ormond Street Hospital twice a week for treatment. She said: “They’re still smiling, they’re still happy and have each other. That’s the main thing I’m so grateful for because they could be doing this by themselves,” she added. “All I can do is try my best to be there for them and give them positive energy, keep doing physio.

“My whole life has completely changed. If you came to my house it looks like a hospital. My whole hallway is filled with medical stuff. It’s crazy how you can go from one extreme to the next.

The twin’s condition, spinal muscular atrophy, is a disease which removes a person’s strength and causes problems by disrupting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord. It can ultimately cause a person to lose the ability to walk, eat and breathe.

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Katie Price steps out with Princess amid increasing concerns for star’s wellbeing

Katie Price’s fans have shared their concerns for the star on social media as she was seen out and about with her daughter Princess following her split from JJ Slater

Fans of Katie Price are growing increasingly concerned for the star following her latest outing with daughter Princess.

Former glamour model Katie, 47, was pictured out with her daughter Princess, 18, as the pair enjoyed a shopping trip in central London together. Frail Katie and Princess’ mother-daughter day was documented on social media as Princess shared a video of the pair taking a train to central London before hopping in a taxi to the lavish department store Selfridges, before the duo left with their arms full of bags.

Meanwhile, photos of the outing show Katie’s slender frame and obvious cheekbones as she and Princess huddled together underneath a bright yellow Moschino umbrella during the outing. The pair looked cold as they hugged one another’s arms tightly while walking together dressed in form-fitting leggings. Princess paired her navy leggings with a matching jumper while Katie added a black cropped puffer coat to complete her look – along with a large Louis Vuitton handbag.

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Katie looked tanned for the outing and styled her raven locks in a down, straight hairstyle while her tattooed eyebrows and inkings on her hands were also visible. She topped off the permanent makeup look with a pair of fluttering eyelashes. Shortly after the trip Princess shared a vlog of her outing with her mum on her Instagram and TikTok pages as she gushed: “This was fun” in the caption of the share.

While many fans took to the comments to gush over the special day, others shared concerns for Katie’s health in the comments as one wrote: “Ive always been a KP fan and from what we see shes a great mumma to H. But is no one talking about how painfully thin she is or is she wanting to be that thin, its worrying i think, just my opinion”. Another added: “she looks ill” as another fan asked: “Oh me Katie what happened”. [sic]

The photos come as Katie responded to concern over her weight as she denied taking ‘skinny jabs’ and insisted she is at her ‘natural weight’ after going through IVF and gaining weight. Katie candidly opened up on the topic while appearing on the Disruptors podcast with host Rob Moore.

Addressing concerns over her weight, Katie explained: “Anyone you know who’s had IVF, you put on weight. I had three IVFs the past 15 months. They all failed.” Katie added: “It started from when I broke my feet. They said I’d never run again. So I couldn’t run, wasn’t exercising, couldn’t ride my horses, so basically, I was in a wheelchair for 10 month. They said I couldn’t walk again, this all happened around COVID time, so obviously you’re going to put on weight because you’re not moving about.”

“Then I did IVF, pumped all my stuff, and it takes ages for it to get back out your body. But I say to people, if you look at old pictures of me, even after I’ve had babies, I just shrink back. I’ve always been tiny, and I think because the past sort of three years, I’ve been bigger, but they’re the reasons why, right? Now I’ve gone like back, now the IVF that’s all come out, and I’m more active because I could do more because of my feet, and I’m horse riding again, then naturally, i’m going back athletic again.”

Just last month, a source revealed the the Mirror Katie’s family were concerned for the star’s health after she was seen looking unsteady on her feet while stepping out with friends at Yasmin Oukhellou’s launch event for her business. A source close to Katie has expressed their concern over her weight loss and admits that the family have “honest” conversations with her about the star’s well-being. Speaking to the Mirror, a source said: “They do share their concerns with Kate and have open, honest conversations with her about how she’s feeling – including her mental health and her weight loss.

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“Those conversations come from a place of love, care and support, and they remain private within the family. What people too often forget is just how much Kate has been through and how much she has already overcome. Her well-being is, and always will be, the priority, and it’s something she is actively working on.” Responding to recent coverage from alleged friends of Kate who said that her weight loss was “absolutely devastating” and was extremely severe, our source added: “It was quite frankly completely unnecessary.

“It was cruel, hurtful and deeply insensitive, and it reduced a very real, very personal journey into a sensationalised narrative. There was no consideration for the impact those words might have, not just on Kate, but on her family too.”

John Alford’s deviant shopping list before sexually abusing teens at sleepover

Disgraced Grange Hill and London’s Buring star John Alford has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after being found guilty of sexual offences against two teenagers. In court, disturbing details about the attacks came to light

What was supposed to be a normal sleepover with friends turned into every parent’s worst nightmare when two teenagers were sexually assaulted by a TV star who was meant to keep them safe.

Once the hearthrob of 80s TV drama London’s Burning, it’s only now that the true horror of John Alford’s perverted crimes have come to light. The disgraced actor has this week been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after being found guilty of child sex offences, with his victims bravely sharing with the world the torment they have endured since that fateful night.

The 54-year-old, who was tried under his real name of John Shannon, was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child, as well as two counts relating to a second female of sexual assault and assault by penetration. Alford, of Hartham Road, Islington, was found guilty at St Albans Crown Court on September 5 of sexually assaulting girls aged 14 and 15 at a friend’s home on April 9, 2022. At his sentencing on Wednesday, he showed no emotion or remorse.

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The court heard that Alford’s attacks happened while the girls were enjoying a sleepover at a friend’s house during the Easter holidays. The impromptu party was held at the home of a third girl – whose father was friends with Alford – following a night out at the pub. None of the teens previously knew the Grange Hill star.

The night eventually wound down and everyone in the house went to bed. Except for Alford, who ended up being the only adult left awake with the girls, the court heard. The sex offender then used this position of power as an opportunity to ply his victims with alcohol, heading to a nearby petrol station at 4:30am and buying £250 worth of food, cigarettes and booze – including rum, beer and flavoured vodka.

The court heard that because of the nature of the conversations he had with them that night, he knew how old the girls were. When he returned to his friend’s home, Alford was sipping on a bottle of beer while both girls drank from the bottle of Ciroc vodka he’d offered them. The dad-of-four went on to have sex with the 14-year-old girl in the garden of the property and later in a downstairs toilet. He also inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half-asleep on the living room sofa.

In a video of her police interview played to the court, the 14-year-old said she had never had sex before the night and stated she had been assaulted. She said: “I told him to stop because I didn’t want to have sex with an old man”. The court heard Alford asked her ‘do you want this babe?’ to which she replied “no”. She told police she asked him to stop “three or four times”.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-old girl assaulted by Alford told the court: “We were all just like dozing off. That was when John started to touch me.” The youngster said she felt “absolutely sick” after the attack and immediately showered after being dropped off at the house of the other girl Alford attacked.

She described how they both went into a bathroom together and “spoke about everything that happened”, before she talked about the incidents again while visiting a different friend’s home two days later. Recalling the moment, she said: “I had a mental breakdown to my best mate’s mum in the garden and she called my mum.”

Recorder Caroline Overton told the court that the girls were in what should have been “a safe environment” while enjoying themselves at the sleepover, including recording TikTok videos. She told Alford: “You were the one remaining adult. You were a trusted family friend and you were fully aware the girls were 14 and 15 years of age.”

During the trial, jurors heard that, after being arrested, the shamed TV star claimed he had “never touched” either of the girls and told police officers: “This stinks. This is a setup.” But a jury disagreed and convicted Alford of all the charges after a week-long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberations.

Once full of zest for life, the two girls now say they are a shadow of their former selves after their trust was cruelly robbed at the hands of a man who was supposed to protect them. The 14-year-old victim told police Alford was older than her dad. In her victim impact statement, she said: “I’m the victim of penetrative sexual assault. Being sexually assaulted has affected my family in every way.”

The girl explained that after the assault, she had to undergo a sexual health exam, but it could not be completed due to it causing her so much pain. She was also given the morning after pill and had to undergo injections for HIV and other diseases, which caused her bruising. She said: “I was scared people were going to notice and wonder why I had them. I had so much shame about the incident. I didn’t want to tell anyone.”

She said she did eventually tell her brother, who told her parents, including her dad who attempted to comfort her. The girl explained: “My dad hugged me, but I didn’t feel comfortable with it because he was a man. It has affected me severely with school. I didn’t care about my GCSEs as this was the only thing that mattered. I wasn’t bothered about my personal hygiene or appearance. I was just existing. I’ve become protective of my friends and any girl I see. I’m always on the look out for a man doing something wrong. What happened to me will be with me forever, but I won’t let it change me.”

The youngest victim said she doesn’t like drinking as it reminds her of that night. She added: “I remember what John smelled like. I was getting flashbacks. I’ve been getting dreams. I’m convinced he’s going to come through my door. I also find it hard being intimate with my boyfriend because of this. The assault by John has completely changed my perspective on life. It has made me look very differently at the world and I now have worries for my life and my future children. I will not let this assault define me, but it has been constantly in my mind.”

For Alford’s other victim, who was 15 at the time of the assault, the pain of that night “destroyed” her. Tragically, she carried out severe self-harm for years after the attack and even attempted to take her own life at the age of 16. She now has scars on her body as a result of the self-harm. In a heartbreaking victim impact statement read out in court, she said: “This man destroyed my mental wellbeing. When I was 16 I tried to take my own life with sleeping tablets. I was in so much physical and emotional pain I cut myself deeply. I used my mum’s lighter to burn the inside of my thighs as well. I felt so suicidal and depressed, words cannot describe how I felt.”

The girl said she often suffers flashbacks and nightmares and she admitted: “Every day I wake up thinking I could have done something to help my friend.” She also said she blames herself. “I still face challenges everyday because of what he did,” she said. “I cannot get on public transport, I can’t do anything by myself.” Tormented by the attack, she also told how if she wakes up in the night, she is too scared to go to the toilet on her own. She said: “I struggle with men. I don’t want to think of every man as evil, but I do. I will never forget his face, his scent, his voice or him.”

Despite the unimaginable suffering he caused his victims, Alford showed no remorse in court. He simply tapped his heart while looking at family members before being led down to the cells. Recorder Overton said he had remained focused on the impact the offences on him and his family rather than his victims. She said he had shown “a lack of acknowledgement” of his behaviour or “any remorse”. And she added: “It is so serious that only a sentence of immediate custody can be justified.”

In mitigation, Alford’s barrister said the former actor has been diagnosed with ADHD and other mental health issues. He said Alford now recognises he has a problem with alcohol, which “he has not really addressed throughout his life”. The star’s laywyer, describing the incident as “sad” and “not one that will be repeated,” told the court his client “will of course struggle in prison because of his mental health”. He added: “Mr Shannon is a family man. His family speak highly of him. He is a loving uncle, loving brother, loving father. As a result of this his family have been targeted by people. It has been difficult for them.”

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Overton said Alford will serve up to two thirds in custody before being released on license. She added that for the rest of his life, he must make police aware of where he is living and inform them if he makes any changes to his name. The pervert was also issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting either victim either directly or indirectly and he will be on the sex offender’s register indefinitely.

Coronation Street’s Claire Peacock star now 15 years after exit including teaching job

Coronation Street’s Claire Peacock was a Weatherfield regular for eight years before she left the cobbles for France.

Coronation Street’s Claire Peacock left the soap 15 years ago this week – but where is the actress Julia Haworth now?

Claire made her debut on the long-running ITV soap way back in 2003, as Ashley Peacock’s (Steven Arnold) new nanny for his son Joshua. And it wasn’t long before Claire fell for her employer and married into the Peacock family, taking up a permanent role on the cobbles.

During her stint on the show, she was involved in several big moments, including her heartbreaking postnatal depression battle after giving birth to their son Freddie. Claire also had to deal with the tragic death of Ashley in 2010, when he was killed during the soap’s 50th anniversary involving the infamous tram crash.

However, in January 2011, Claire said her goodbyes to the street when she swapped Weatherfield for France. But where is the actress who played her now?

Why did Julia leave Coronation Street?

In 2010, Coronation Street’s newest producer at the time Phil Collinson decided not to renew Steven and Julia’s contracts, leading to Ashley and Claire’s on-screen exit. In a statement, Phil said: “Ashley and Clare Peacock have been part of the fabric of Weatherfield for many years but like any community, people come and go.

“Both actors and myself felt that we had reached a crossroads with the characters, to the point that as actors they were not being fulfilled and stories were harder to find.

“We mutually decided to start working towards an exit for the Peacock family, giving the actors the chance to explore new opportunities and for us to devise a dramatic exit storyline. I wish Steven and Julia, and of course the young boys who play [sons] Josh and Freddie, all the best for the future.”

What has Julia been in since Corrie?

Since leaving Coronation Street, Julia has continued her successful acting career, appearing many TV shows. She played Laura Wade on rival soap BBC ’s Doctors from 2018 to 2019 and also had a role in the ITV drama The Bay in its second series.

Julia also starred alongside Liz Hurley in American drama The Royals and played Doris Owen in season 10 of beloved BBC drama Call the Midwife in 2021. And more recently, portrayed Pamela Parks in the BBC show A Kind Of Spark.

Julia and husband Jon

Soap star Julia is married to accountant Jon Wormald. The pair met in 2003 and according to Julia, it was love at first sight.

“I remember looking at Jon and thinking he was gorgeous and that I could marry him. I’d never experienced that before, but I just knew it was absolutely right,” she told People in 2008.

Going from strength to strength, Julia and Jon tied the knot in 2006 at St Stephen’s Church, in Burnley. Julia’s Coronation Street co-stars attended the wedding too including Steven, Kate Ford – who plays Tracy Barlow – and Leanne Battersby star Jane Danson. In 2008, Julia gave birth to a daughter and their second daughter was born in 2013.

Julia’s inspiring teaching job

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new ** Everything Gossip ** website**

In 2018, Julia put her acting experience and knowledge to good use, revealing she was planning on getting a teaching qualification at Bolton College to inspire future actors.

“As an actor still working professionally within the entertainment industry, the knowledge and skills I am teaching to the Performing Arts students here at Bolton College are 100 per cent up to date, accurate and relevant,” she told The Bolton News.

Julia added: “This is imperative in a rapidly changing industry and in helping the learners with their future employability.”

In her role, Julia helped budding actors develop their acting skills, as well produce their own show reels and offer advice on auditions and life on a TV set.

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The clue that Freddie Mercury KNEW he had a secret daughter as tragedy strikes

The Queen icon’s ‘secret’ daughter, known only as B, has died – but evidence suggests Freddie knew of her existence

Freddie Mercury’s ‘secret’ daughter has died at the age of 48. But while Freddie never publicly confirmed a child’s existence whilst he was alive, it’s thought the Queen icon did indeed know about his daughter.

The late frontman’s father left a will which explicitly excluded any illegitimate children which the star might have had.

In August 2025, public records indicated that Freddie’s dad, Bomi, who died in 2003, included a provision in his will that ‘legitimate or legitimated and adopted children are part of the will, but that any illegitimate children are not provided for.’

The ‘secret’ child, known only as B, was revealed ahead of the release of a bombshell book titled Love, Freddie last year. The lovechild spoke to author and music journalist Lesley-Ann Jones to reveal her link to the rock star – but her real name and identity were never made public.

READ MORE: Heartbreaking reason Freddie Mercury’s daughter couldn’t prove identity before she diedREAD MORE: ‘I made Queen into stars – and then they wrote nasty hate mail about me’

From 1987, the Family Law Reform Act meant that a child born to unmarried parents could enjoy the same legal rights as those born to married parents, including in matters of inheritance. Experts explained that this was the reason why as to why Freddie’s father made the amendment to his will in 2001, two years before his death.

News of Freddie’s ‘hidden’ daughter’s death was confirmed by her family, who said she died “peacefully after a long battle with chordoma, a rare spinal cancer, leaving two sons aged nine and seven”.

A statement from her widower, named Thomas, added to the Daily Mail: “B is now with her beloved and loving father in the world of thoughts. Her ashes were scattered to the wind over the Alps.”

Meanwhile, Lesley-Ann Jones, who penned the book, shared her heartbreak over the news as she told the publication: “I am devastated by the loss of this woman who became my close friend, who had come to me with a selfless aim: to brush aside all those who have had free rein with Freddie’s story for 32 years, to challenge their lies and their rewriting of his life, and to deliver the truth.”

Lesley-Anne also added: “At the end of her life, it was all that mattered to her. She was very ill throughout the 4 years that we worked together. But she was on a mission. She put herself and her own needs last.”

Last year, the author revealed Freddie had secretly fathered a child during an affair in 1976. She said at the time: “Having spent a quarter of a century researching and writing books about Freddie Mercury , and having covered Queen’s performances on the road, I thought I knew virtually all that there was to know about him. I was wrong. Working with his only child and next of kin over several years to create the book that tells his true story in his and his daughter’s own words has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I could never have imagined this hidden Freddie. Yet he was real.”

Meanwhile, in the light of her death Lesley-Ann has revealed more details about the rock icon’s secret daughter, claiming he called her ‘Bibi’ and wrote several songs about her. It has also been claimed Freddie would also name her ‘trésor’, which translates into treasure from French, as well as his ‘little froggie’.

Queen’s songs Don’t Try So Hard and Bijou are said to have been written about his secret lovechild, whom the singer is said to have had a close bond with up until he died.

We Will Rock You star Freddie is said to have fathered his daughter after a brief, unexpected liaison in 1976 with the wife of one of Mercury’s close friends. While the child was as closely-guarded secret a select few knew the truth including his parents, sister, bandmates and longtime confidante Mary Austin.

While Freddie’s daughter’s identity wasn’t made public some details about her were revealed – including the fact she lived in Europe, was a healthcare professional and had two children. As her link to Freddie was explosively revealed, she detailed how she was raised by a loving family but always knew the music icon was her dad. Before he died of pneumonia caused by Aids in 1991, Freddie gave his daughter 17 volumes of his personal journals.

His daughter had kept them a secret for years but later handed them over to Jones, which formed the basis of the bombshell book.

Freddie was extremely private throughout his life and only announced the day before he died that he had been diagnosed with AIDS – after making a number of public appearances in the 12 month prior looking increasingly ill. Freddie had a number of relationships with men and women, including Mary Austin.

They met when she was 19 and he was 24, a time before his mega stardom. The couple lived together and were engaged before Freddie came out as gay. Freddie and Mary never had any children but Mary went on to have two sons with another partner while remaining close to the singer for the rest of his life. She is understood to have known about Freddie’s daughter.

For the book, Love Freddie, ‘B’ issued a handwritten letter, which read: ” Freddie Mercury was and is my father. We had a very close and loving relationship from the moment I was born and throughout the final 15 years of his life.”

“He adored me and was devoted to me. The circumstances of my birth may seem, by most people’s standards, unusual and even outrageous.

“That should come as no surprise. It never detracted from his commitment to love and look after me. He cherished me like a treasured possession.”

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Music journalist and Love Freddie author Lesley-Ann also revealed at the time that she had been approached by B three years before the book’s release, but had her reservations at first. She said: “My instinct was to doubt everything, but I am absolutely sure she is not a fantasist.”