A Freddie Mercury tribute can’t survive on a costume and a few big notes. It takes nerve, stamina, and a real understanding of why Queen still matters and Gary Mullen has spent 26 years proving it on stages around the world.

We talk with Gary about the unlikely chain of events that took him from being a lifelong Queen fan in Glasgow to winning Stars in Their Eyes with a record vote, then turning that moment into One Night Of Queen, a full-scale live rock concert experience. He breaks down the “alter ego” side of performing Freddie, how he avoids overthinking the voice, and what it means to honor a legend without turning the show into a museum piece.

You’ll also hear the unglamorous parts that fans rarely see: vocal training for endurance, getting older on tour, the warmups and rituals that flip the switch before the lights go down, and the split-second panic when a lyric disappears mid-song. Along the way, Gary shares unforgettable fan stories, including a backstage encounter with Freddie Mercury’s Live Aid belt, plus why audience participation is the secret weapon that keeps Queen’s music timeless across generations.

If you love Queen, live music, and the craft behind stage presence, listen all the way through, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more fans can find the show.