Editing Freddie Mercury (section)

===Friendship with Kenny Everett===
[[File:Freddie Mercury (1975 Elektra publicity photo).jpg|thumb|upright|Mercury in 1975]]
Radio disc jockey [[Kenny Everett]] met Mercury in 1974, when he invited the singer onto his [[Capital London]] [[breakfast show]].<ref name="Everett"/> As two of Britain's most flamboyant, outrageous and popular entertainers, they shared much in common and became close friends.<ref name="Everett"/> In 1975, Mercury visited Everett, bringing with him an advance copy of the single "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]".<ref name="Jackson2011"/> Despite doubting that any station would play the six-minute track, Everett placed the song on the turntable, and, after hearing it, exclaimed: "Forget it, it's going to be number one for centuries".<ref name="Jackson2011"/> Although Capital Radio had not officially accepted the song, Everett talked incessantly about a record he possessed but could not play. He then frequently proceeded to play the track with the excuse: "Oops, my finger must've slipped."<ref name="Jackson2011"/> On one occasion, Everett aired the song fourteen times over a single weekend.<ref>{{cite book |last=Collins |first=Jeff |title=Rock Legends at Rockfield |publisher=University of Wales Press |date=2007 |page=76}}</ref> Capital's switchboard was overwhelmed with callers inquiring when the song would be released.<ref name="Everett"/><ref>{{citation |title=Kenny Everett – The best possible way to remember a true pioneer |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/kenny-everett--the-best-possible-way-to-remember-a-true-pioneer-8191316.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 September 2012 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925163508/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/kenny-everett--the-best-possible-way-to-remember-a-true-pioneer-8191316.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 1970s, Everett became advisor and mentor to Mercury and Mercury served as Everett's confidant.<ref name="Everett"/> Throughout the early-to-mid-1980s, they continued to explore their homosexuality and use drugs. Although they were never lovers, they did experience London nightlife together.<ref name="Everett"/> By 1985, they had fallen out, and their friendship was further strained when Everett was outed in the autobiography of his ex-wife [[Lee Everett Alkin]].<ref name="Everett"/> In 1989, with their health failing, Mercury and Everett were reconciled.<ref name="Everett">"When Freddie Mercury Met Kenny Everett" (1 June 2002). [[Channel 4]]</ref>