Who is Brian May

Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed a sequel to the stage musical We Will Rock You will be bought to the stage.

"We are planning the sequel," he said. "It is a real challenge."

The 60-year-old said about two million people had seen We Will Rock You, written and directed by Ben Elton, since it opened in London in 2002.

May also said the band were preparing for their autumn tour and new album. "The long arm of Queen has pulled me back in at the moment. It is a beast."

He added: "We've pressed the button to go on tour this autumn so already the preparations are very consuming.

"We've chosen our set, we've chosen our environment on tour. It is very exciting, very exciting indeed. Very time consuming but Queen always was consuming."

Productions of We Will Rock You, based on the songs of Queen, have since opened in Australia, Spain, Russia, the US, Japan and Germany.

The musician was speaking at a formal ceremony to install him as the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

Information from BBC Website

May became an honorary fellow of the university earlier this year
Queen star Brian May has been named as the next chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

The guitarist will begin the role in February, taking over from former Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie.

May said he would be celebrating "with a delicious vegetarian roast and a glass of choice dessert wine".

May was awarded a doctorate in astrophysics earlier this year, 36 years after abandoning his thesis to pursue a career with Queen.

The musician became an honorary fellow of the university earlier this year for his contribution to the arts and encouraging public understanding of science.

'Challenge'

His duties will include presiding over graduation ceremonies and representing the university on special occasions.

"This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me," May said.

"I am looking forward to discovering more about the University and the people that make LJMU such a unique place of learning."

Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Michael Brown, said May was "an intensely talented individual".

"In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment," he said.

May was awarded his PhD for his 48,000 word thesis, A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud in August.

He has also co-authored a book, Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, with Sir Patrick Moore.

Information from BBC Website

Queen guitarist Brian May has been formally installed as the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

The 60-year-old was awarded an honorary fellowship for his contribution to astronomy and services to the public understanding of science last year.

He studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London, but put his academic career on hold to play with Queen.

Dr May has taken over the Chancellor's role from former Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie.

His duties will include presiding over graduation ceremonies and representing the university on special occasions.

He said he was "proud" to take up the role and insisted people were "never too old" to start learning.

About 500 people, including university staff, students and alumni, watched the installation ceremony at St George's Hall in Liverpool.

Cherie Booth QC, who served as Chancellor between 1999 and 2006, and John Moores CBE, her predecessor, who served as Chancellor from 1994 to 1999, were also at the ceremony.

'Tremendous role model'

Dr May gained a BSc in his 20s, and even used Liverpool John Moores' remote telescope in the Canary Islands to complete his PhD.

More than 30 years later in 2007, he completed his PhD thesis, A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud and was awarded his doctorate.

The guitarist recently co-authored a book, Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, with Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott.

It is never, ever too late to start learning
Dr Brian May

In a statement released by the university, he said: "I am very proud to be the new Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, and I am particularly touched that so many staff and students are able to be here today. I am passionate about education and lifelong learning.

"It really doesn't matter how old you are or what stage of your life you are in, it is never, ever too late to start learning.

"I proved that by completing my PhD, 30 years after I started it. As Chancellor, I hope that my personal experiences will act as an inspiration for others."

Vice Chancellor of LJMU, Professor Michael Brown, said: "The ethos of this university is summed up in three simple words: Dream, Plan, Achieve.

"No-one embodies this more perfectly than our new Chancellor, Dr Brian May.

"While gaining global recognition as a musician, and supporter of the performing arts, he never lost sight of his dream, his passion for astronomy and science."

He added: "There is no doubt that Brian May will be a real champion for LJMU and a tremendous role model for our students. We are delighted to welcome him as our new Chancellor today."

Information from BBC Website