Edinburgh Evening News 2^nd June 1999

Row Breaks Out As Queen Joins Monarch On Controversial Stamp. A popular millennium stamp featuring members of rock group Queen came under fire on two fronts today. The stamp depicts the group's late singer Freddie Mercury stripped to the waist and also shows drummer Roger Taylor. Philatelist Peter Jennings said it was unacceptable for Taylor to sneak into Peter Blake's design, as the stick man is still alive. The Royal Mail's own rules stipulate that only members of the British royal family may be depicted on stamps during their lifetime, and being in a group called Queen does not count. The Royal Mail admitted it was a rare breach of the rule, but called for "common sense to prevail" over the tiny portrait on millions of 19p stamps put on sale yesterday. The Freddie Mercury stamp is part of The Entertainer's Tale set whose subjects were chosen with help from public opinion polls. The others are England's World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore, a Doctor Who Dalek and comic film star Charlie Chaplin. The Mercury stamp was also attacked this week by a newspaper columnist as a "vulgar" commemoration of a star "whose degenerate lifestyle caused him to die of Aids at an unfortunately early age".

The Mirror 3^rd June 1999

Off With His Head Fury As Queen Drummer Breaks Rules And Appears On New Stamp A millennium stamp showing Queen drummer Roger Taylor was slammed yesterday - because he is still alive. Royal Mail rules say only members of the Royal Family can be portrayed on stamps during their lifetime. The 19p stamp, now on sale, pictures the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury performing, with Roger Taylor in the background. Critics said being in a group called Queen doesn't put the stamp within the rules. And they attacked the Royal Mail for allowing Aids victim Freddie on one of their designs. Philatelist Peter Jennings said heads should roll: "I am extremely surprised that the Royal Mail has broken the strict rule that no living person other than a member of the Royal Family may appear on a British postage stamp. "Roger Taylor is clearly shown behind a set of drums proclaiming the name Queen on a stamp which depicts lead singer Freddie Mercury."> Mr. Jennings added that it was "in poor taste" dedicate a stamp to Freddie Mercury. He wants the Royal Mail stamp advisory committee, whose members include actress Floella Benjamin, scrapped and the public given a "meaningful say" on future stamp subjects. The new stamp is part of The Entertainer's Tale set whose other subjects include England's World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore (26p), a fictional Doctor Who Dalek (44p) and comic film star Charlie Chaplin. Freddie Mercury was a lifelong stamp enthusiast whose collection is now in the possession of the Royal Mail. A Royal Mail spokesman said the new stamp had a tiny portrait of Roger Taylor and called for "common sense to prevail". He added: "It is important to say that every stamp is approved by the Queen, including this one, which was also given the consent of Freddie Mercury's family and Mr. Taylor.

The Mirror 9^th June 1999

First Class Wail Philatelist Peter Jennings who complained about the Millennium stamp featuring Queen drummer Roger Taylor should get a life. In a world where you can be attacked for being the wrong colour or for speaking with the wrong accent, the fact that a stamp features a drummer from a band is hardly earth shattering. Cheryl Armstrong, Preston Lancs. I can't believe people are complaining about Roger Taylor appearing on a stamp. After all he was in a band called Queen. He should appear alongside the Royal Family as far as I'm concerned. J Bird, Shoreham, Sussex

Lancashire Eve Post 3^rd June 1999

Roger Fails To Get Stamp Of Approval. A popular millennium stamp which has gone on sale came under fire on two fronts. The stamp depicts the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury stripped to the waist and also shows drummer Roger Taylor. Philatelist Peter Jennings said heads should roll for permitting Taylor to sneak into Peter Blake's design, because he is still alive. The Royal Mail's own rules stipulate that only members of the British royal family may be depicted on stamps during their lifetimes, and being in a group called Queen does not count. The Royal Mail admitted it was a rare breach of the rule, but called for "common sense to prevail" over the pinhead-sized portrait, which, which appears on millions of 19p stamps. The stamp shows Mercury in performance, stripped to the waist and looking heavenward, with Taylor at the top of a monumental drum kit in the background.

Metro 3^rd June 1999

Right Royal Rumpus Over Freddie Stamp. Sparks flew last night after the release of a stamp which depicts the late Queen singer Freddie Mercury stripped to the waist alongside drummer Roger Taylor. The Royal Mail was put on the defensive after philatelist Peter Jennings said the image of Mr. Mercury was in "poor taste". He added the inclusion of Mr. Taylor breached rules which say no living person other than a member of the Royal Family can be depicted on a postage stamp. Mr. Taylor is very much alive and currently enjoying a successful solo career and it seems that being in a group called Queen does not exempt him from the royal rule. The Millennium commemorative stamp was also attacked by media commentator Simon Heffer as a 'vulgar' depiction of a star 'whose degenerate lifestyle caused him to die of Aids at an unfortunately early age'. The Royal Mail admitted the stamp marked a rare breach of its rules, but called for 'common sense to prevail' after the 19p stamps went on sale of Tuesday. A spokesman said the stamp had received the approval of the Queen, Mr. Mercury's family and Mr. Taylor. The stamp is part of a set called The Entertainer's Tale. Designs include World Cup hero Bobby Moore and comic legend Charlie Chaplin.

Western Morning News 2^nd June 1999

Freddie Mercury's Magic On Millennium Stamp Westcountry rock star Roger Taylor has launched the latest set of Royal Mail millennium stamps which lead with the charismatic singer of his former Queen pop group, the late Freddie Mercury. Mercury, born in Zanzibar and brought up in India before moving to England, was a renowned stamp collector and, following his death in 1991, the Post Office has exhibited his collection around the world. This month's Royal Mail millennium stamps, on sale until 6^th July, focus on entertainers and sportsmen, with Mercury on the 19p second-class stamp designed by Peter Blake and entitled "Mercury's Magic". Queen drummer Roger Taylor, who attended Truro School and owns a mansion in the Falmouth area, said: "The designs captures the excitement of our live shows and Freddie's extrovert personality." Reflecting on his years of musical fame and fortune with Mercury, who previously studied graphic art and design, he said: "Freddie would have been really proud to be on a stamp." The Mercury's Magic stamp was unveiled in Falmouth by Taylor, assisted by local postman John Richards, and the rock star was presented with a giant version of "Mercury's Magic" as a memento to hand in one of his homes.