It has been confirmed by the Motion Picture Academy that Queen will perform live at Sunday’s 2019 Oscars ceremony.

The move, which is not a complete surprise given the success of Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic about late Queen frontman Freddy Mercury, will see American Idol star Adam Lambert step up on vocals.

With two of the four original members still in the band, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor will again link up with Lambert following the huge success of their collaboration which has been running since 2011.

Labert and Queen have successfully completed a world tour with the singer earning rave reviews. Meanwhile, original bass player John Deacon has not performed with Queen for decades and will not be included.

The Academy announced the news on social, saying “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” as the group follow the likes of Lady Gaga and Bette Midler who will also perform.

Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

We welcome @QueenWillRock and @adamlambert to this year's #Oscars!https://t.co/7uDf42FbjJ — The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 18, 2019

Previously speaking about being “nervous” in replacing Mercury, Lambert said in September: “Not only did I have to make sure my voice held up and I know all the words… but it was also the perception of fans; I definitely had some concerns,” he said. “This is not my music that I wrote: This is me, as a guest, with one of the greatest rock bands of all time, singing the songs that one of the greatest rock singers of all time brought to life.”