Today would have marked the 72nd birthday of iconic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. To celebrate his legacy, London’s Heathrow Airport has transformed their staff in Terminal 5 into a full-on dance team. In honor of Freddie Mercury’s stint working as a baggage handler at the same airport, today’s handlers are performing Mercury-inspired dance moves—choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor choreographer Lyndon Lloyd.According to a press release, the baggage handlers have been taking professional choreography lessons learning a full routine to “I Want To Break Free” as part of this special celebration ahead of the release of Bohemian Rhapsody, the upcoming biographical film due out on November 2 (watch the full trailer here).
In addition to the dancing staff, British Airways will award any customer by the name of Freddie, Frederick, or Farrokh (Freddie Mercury’s real name) who is departing from Terminal 5 with access to use the British Airways first class lounge along with their traveling companions. The airport will also be playing Queen songs on arrival boards, with promises of Queen memorabilia on display next month, according to The Daily Mail.
British Airways Baggage Manager, Adam Dewey, who stars in today’s video, explained: “Freddie Mercury is an undisputed rock legend and it has been an absolute blast planning his birthday celebrations at Heathrow Airport, where he once worked. Myself and the other baggage handlers taking part have put everything into these dance routines and we can’t wait to see the faces on holidaymakers when they strut their stuff in the arrivals hall.”Dewey continues, in support of the upcoming biopic, “The new film Bohemian Rhapsody has proved a great inspiration for all of us and we can’t wait to be hot-stepping our way to the premiere next month.”
Born Farrokh Bulsara to Parsi parents in the Sultane of Zanzibar (now known as Tanzania) on this day in 1946, Freddie Mercury has undoubtedly inspired generations of artists and will continue to do so for years to come.