Rami Malek thanks ‘outsider’ Freddie Mercury in moving BAFTAs speech

The world went mad when Bohemian Rhapsody was released at the end of last year, sharing the story of Freddie Mercury’s rise to fame as the frontman of British rock band Queen, with American actor Rami Malek taking on the leading role.

Since then the movie has bagged accolades at some of the most prestigious awards ceremonies of the year and, on Sunday, Malek added to that total after taking home the Best Actor Award at the British Academy Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) in London.

Malek, 37, who also bagged a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the music legend, sounded emotional as he took to the stage to collect his award on Sunday evening, thanking surviving Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, along with Mercury who he described as “unwavering, unflinching and uncompromising”.

“Thank you so very much to Queen, to Brian May, to Roger Taylor, to the entire Queen family. I wouldn’t be here without you.

“And to the greatest outsider of them all, for being so unwavering and unflinching and uncompromising in every which way thank you Freddie Mercury.”

The movie was nominated for a total of seven BAFTAs and, along with Malek’s award, took home the award for sound at the star-studded ceremony.

"Thank you so very much to Queen… and to the greatest outsider of them all, thank you Freddie Mercury 👨🏼‍🎤

.@itsramimalek pays tribute to his 'Queen family' as he accepts the Best Actor Award for Bohemian Rhapsody #BAFTA https://t.co/zzRq6954St pic.twitter.com/riUTJ4seCW

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 10, 2019

Fans were quick to praise the Mr Robot star for his “deserving” performance in the Oscar-nominated movie, with one saying: “Freddie truly was the most amazing and beautiful performer and person. He deserves all the praise and love he’s getting. Thank you Rami for portraying him so proudly!”

Another commented: “That award is so well deserved it is an amazing portrayal of Freddie…. I can not wait to see it again well done Rami Malek.”

A third wrote: “I love it when things fall in order. I love the movie, It is powerful and inspiring. Congratulations, well deserved. Long live Queen.”

Read more: ‘You beautiful man!’ Rami Malek’s Golden Globes tribute to Freddie Mercury.

In January, Malek also won a Golden Globe for his performance as the ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ hitmaker, earning himself a legion of fans as he delivered a powerful tribute to the late superstar, who died in 1991, whilst accepting the gong.

Taking to the stage to accept his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Film, Malek said: “Oh my god, I am beyond moved. My heart is pounding out of my chest. This is a profound honour to be counted among such extraordinary actors, I am privileged.”

He added: “Thank you to Freddie Mercury for giving me the joy of a lifetime. I love you, you beautiful man. This is for and because of you, gorgeous!”

>Malek took on the role of a lifetime in the 2018 movie, which documents the band’s early days and their meteoric rise to fame in the 1970s and ’80s, focusing on Mercury’s transition from cheeky art student to one of the world’s most beloved and revered singers.

Have you seen Bohemian Rhapsody? Do you think Rami Malek is a deserving winner for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury?