When we asked Sir Brian if he and Queen drummer Roger Taylor are still in touch with Deacon, he replied: “We’re not, it’s John’s choice. He doesn’t want to be, he wants to be left alone. That’s his choice and I think he needs that. The 77-year-old guitarist said how Deacon hasn’t withdrawn out of spite or anything, as they never fell out. Sir Brian continued: “It’s just that he needs to have his privacy; you have to respect that.”

Of course, Deacon remains a Queen business…