Queen drummer Roger Taylor believes a highly anticipated duet by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson will be released later this year — but said obtaining permission from Jacko’s estate had been like “wading through glue”.

Taylor and guitarist Brian May have been working on a new album of unreleased material and hope it will include at least one track made from Eighties recording sessions featuring the two late singers.

The album is due to be named Queen Forever. Taylor, 65, said: “I’m not quite sure what’s on it yet. We’ve got some great new tracks that haven’t been heard and there’s an interesting selection of older stuff.”

He said of the Jackson material: “[Yes] if we could get a decision from the Michael Jackson estate, who seem to be, well, difficult. William Orbit did a really nice mix of one of our tracks with Michael and I’m pretty certain that will be on Queen Forever. But it’s been like wading through glue.” Taylor was speaking as he announced a new UK tour for Queen Extravaganza, the tribute band he put together. The covers band continue to tour worldwide despite Taylor and May still playing live under the Queen banner with new singer Adam Lambert.

He added: “It’s a bit of a bizarre situation in some ways. Originally when I put Queen Extravaganza together, we hadn’t really envisaged touring with Queen again.

“I was fed up with seeing not very good tribute bands — I didn’t want to be remembered like that.”

Queen Extravaganza play Shepherd’s Bush Empire on September 13.