LONDON — Baggage handlers at airports are used to staying behind the scenes. But yesterday at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, they finally got their time in the spotlight with a rousing performance of Queen’s ‘I Want To Break Free’.
Why baggage handlers, you ask? You probably didn’t know that Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen, was once a baggage handler for British Airways at Heathrow Airport nearly 50 years ago.
And why yesterday of all days? Sept. 5 is the rock legend’s birthday, and to commemorate the occasion, Heathrow Airport and British Airways teamed up to rock out in spectacular Freddie fashion.
Following weeks of rehearsals, a team of baggage handlers surprised travellers with Mercury-inspired dance moves choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing and ‘X Factor’ choreographer Lyndon Lloyd.
Plus, any traveller landing at Terminal 5 yesterday were greeted with Queen songs on Arrivals boards. And to pay tribute to the late singer’s birthday, any customer named Freddie, Frederick or the legend’s real name, Farrokh, who departed from Terminal 5 on Sept. 5 were invited along with their travelling companions to use British Airways’ First lounge.
Good morning! We’ve got some special arrivals at Heathrow today. Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see… ???? #BohemianRhapsody #ForeverFreddie pic.twitter.com/cb6VFnBHMn
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) September 5, 2018
The celebrations will continue, with Queen memorabilia going on display in the departures area next month.
The celebrations, which will help raise awareness for Mercury’s charity, ‘The Mercury Phoenix Trust’, are in anticipation of the cinema release of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, a moving tribute to Queen, their music and their lead singer.
Adam Dewey, one of British Airways’ baggage managers who stars in the video, said, “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! 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!”
