Freddie Mercury had a secret daughter with whom he had a close relationship until his death in 1991, according to a new biography of the Queen frontman.

The book, Love, Freddie, claims the child was conceived accidentally during an affair with the wife of a close friend in 1976.

Mercury is said to have visited his daughter regularly and gave her 17 volumes of detailed personal journals which she kept a secret.

(Rock biographer Lesley-Ann) Jones said she was first approached by B three years ago. She told the Daily Mail: “My instinct was to doubt everything, but I am absolutely sure she is not a fantasist.

“No one could have faked all this. Why would she have worked with me for three and a half years, never demanding anything?”