Late musical legend Freddie Mercury would have turned 70 next week and to mark his birthday on September 5 a collection of previously unseen photographs is going on display in London.

The exhibition, 'A Kind of Magic', will be free to the public and feature images taken by celebrity photographer Richard Young, who was a close friend of the Queen frontman and had an insider's view into Mercury's glamorous world.

Image © Richard Young

Documenting 'sparkling moments' in the life of Mercury, who passed away in 1991 aged 45, the display features both live concert images and intimate real-life portraits taken at private parties, backstage at international concerts, on the set of music videos and in the performer's own home.

'The parties were always wild, full of laughter and unique. When you were in Freddie’s inner circle you would always be given a nickname, mine was Muriel Young. This was after the TV presenter from the '50s, and Freddie would always say, “Come on Muriel!” I loved it. I felt I was part of his family,' remembers Young, adding: 'This year Freddie would have been 70... I have the most wonderful memories from my time with Freddie. It was a unique part of rock and roll history, and I feel so honoured that I was able to capture so many wonderful, fun and also poignant times of him over a 13-year period. He left us far too early.'

'A Kind of Magic' is on at the Richard Young Gallery in Kensington and will run from September 5 to November 5.

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