Matt Lucas went viral with this old Daily Mirror column published when Freddie Mercury died back in 1991.

It’s both shocking that it was ever published but reassuring that we have come so far in the years since.

I was 17 when Freddie died and The Daily Mirror published this article by Joe Haines. We’ve come a long way. pic.twitter.com/R8LA5M8RrJ — 🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) February 17, 2019

And here are just a few of the responses it generated online.

You know, I had no idea who Joe Haines is and had to google him. But I know who Freddie Mercury was. — The Prime Number Few (@primenumberfew) February 17, 2019

I wish my personal life was a tale of depravity, lust and wickedness but I tend to fall asleep about half ninish these days and I just can’t fit it it. — tim moore (@big_Tim79) February 17, 2019

Well, you turned out just fine… — Mark Sheppard (@Mark_Sheppard) February 17, 2019

Even excepting the gross homophobia, the first line is wild. He’d rather sit on a polar icecap than listen to Somebody To Love or Don’t Stop Me Now. https://t.co/8n8MNZe1BT — richard bacon (@richardpbacon) February 18, 2019

Bloody hell, I’m glad I didn’t read that at the time! What an awful man this bloke Joe was/is! I remember when Freddie died,was 13, in music lesson at school we spent almost the whole class talking about Freddie and Queen. — Debbie Featherbe (@celine4evauk) February 17, 2019

Just after Freddie died, I was in a rock pub in Bilston. The DJ played a Queen track in tribute. Some arsehole started making homophobic comments. Then the Hells Angels stood up and just looked at him. Arsehole shut up. Freddie was much respected by all. Even Angels in Bilston. — Steve Hyett (@SteveHyett) February 17, 2019

Worth reading.

Freddie had more talent in his fingernail than Mr Haines had in his whole body.

Incredible that this should be written so soon after he died. Thanks @RealMattLucas https://t.co/iix92cy9B5 — Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 17, 2019

But as someone also pointed out, not everyone has come a long way …

Not a very long way though. In 2009 Jan Moir of the Daily Mail spit on the still warm body of Stephen Gately in an article where she blamed his “gay lifestyle” for his death. He died of a congenital heart condition. — Mousy (@Mousyneska) February 17, 2019

And there was this PS from Matt Lucas.

Joe Haines still writes for the Daily Mail, btw https://t.co/rCAZQTQefc — Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) February 18, 2019