Richard Irvine-Brown
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richib.bsky.social
Richard Irvine-Brown
@richib.bsky.social
Portfolio: https://www.clippings.me/users/richardirvinebrown

Journo. BBC Verify.

Digital investigative journalism since 2014, cars/money data before, BBC Sport 2007-2011.

Also running the #QueenWorldCup.
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Killer Queen is through to the semi-finals. Who will join them?

UNDER PRESSURE

or

DON'T STOP ME NOW

Little Bowie collab, or another Freddie romp? Last rep of the Hot Space album, or last rep from Jazz?

Vanilla Ice or Shaun Of The Dead?
a man in a suit and tie says how 's that for a slice of fried gold ?
Alt: Shaun, from Shaun Of The Dead, says how 's that for a slice of fried gold ?
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
#QueenWorldCup

I am counting this extra late vote because (a) lovely reasoning, (b) it doesn’t change the result, and (c) it’s all engagement, bruv.

Killer Queen 23-14 I Want To Break Free
#break because it's such a great song to sing along to
November 11, 2025 at 7:38 AM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

It's the first QUARTER FINAL today.

KILLER QUEEN has scored heavily, and by wide margins all the way. Walked it, m8.

I WANT TO BREAK FREE really squeezed through against White Queen and Bicycle Race. Combative.

Vote #Killer or #Break in reply, by 10pm.
a close up of a man singing into a microphone with his eyes closed
Alt: a close up of Freddie Mercury singing into a microphone with his eyes closed
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

With Bohemian Rhapsody's victory this evening, we now know the FINAL EIGHT songs:

Killer Queen v I Want To Break Free

Under Pressure v Don't Stop Me Now

Another One Bites The Dust v Somebody To Love

Radio Ga Ga v Bohemian Rhapsody

QFs start tomorrow.
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Last of the last 16, Mercury v Mercury.

Self loathing v self love.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, never heard of it

V

GOOD OLD-FASHIONED LOVER BOY, joyous romp

Vote in reply with your favourite, I want to hear some fighting talk.

Result at 10pm.
a man in a suit and tie says good old fashioned in a snl ad
Alt: a man in a suit and tie says good old fashioned in a Saturday Night Live ad
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:33 AM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Love Live Laugh?
Eat Pray Vote?

SOMEBODY TO LOVE
vs
WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER

Can we keep the Mercury dominant? Vote #Love

Can we keep a Highlander track in the cup? Vote #Live

I’ll try to wrap this up at 10pm.
a card that says live love laugh with a picture of a statue
Alt: a card that says live love laugh with a picture of a statue with a crown and dress
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#QueenWorldCup

Some folks are saying the vote below is somehow one-sided or fixing a result.

I say to them, BlueSky has gone 100% on Bicycle Race by voting #Yeah.

And there is only one vote in it.

So vote #IamBoring for I Want To Break Free, if you must.
November 7, 2025 at 7:54 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

I Want To Break Free, a standard, slightly hum-drum tune where they dressed up for the video.

Or: BICYCLE RACE, one of the greatest songs ever.

Vote #IamBoring for I Want To Break Free, or #YEAH for Bicycle Race.

That simple. Appease your circus-master.
a man in a top hat is blowing a trumpet with the words the greatest show on earth written below him
Alt: a woman in a top hat and fake moustache is blowing a trumpet with the words the greatest show on earth written below him
media.tenor.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:13 AM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

ICYMI, genuine drama late last night, see quoted post!

(TL;DR Richy can’t count.)

Today will be simpler, it’s…

UNDER PRESSURE
v
A KIND OF MAGIC

Reply with #under or #magic to vote! 10pm cut off!
November 6, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by Richard Irvine-Brown
You’re my best friend is objectively a better song, and I would implore you to demand my friend Rich respects this fact
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Finally back to AM kick offs!

RADIO GA GA

YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND

No time for an opening comment, VOTE (in reply, maybe with your reasoning).
a man singing into a microphone while standing on a stage
Alt: a man singing into a microphone while standing on a stage
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:58 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Finally back to AM kick offs!

RADIO GA GA

YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND

No time for an opening comment, VOTE (in reply, maybe with your reasoning).
a man singing into a microphone while standing on a stage
Alt: a man singing into a microphone while standing on a stage
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Right, short game today, but no bad thing. Let's call it "compact".

F I N A L S C O R E

Killer Queen - 21
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - 4

The score was 18-1 this afternoon, so almost a late rally / consolation goal.

Killer Queen becomes the third QF'ist.
November 4, 2025 at 10:28 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

[Rich runs onto the pitch, clearly pulling clothes over his pyjamas]

[Theatrical mumbling]

Oh yes, we're still doing this.

KILLER QUEEN
or
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE

????

Go! Vote #Killer or #Crazy by 11pm!

Go! Go! Go!
a child is driving a red toy car down a street .
Alt: a child is driving a red toy car, drifting it into the road wild flicking the metal horns with her hands
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Richard Irvine-Brown
Film composer, conductor, bandleader and trumpeter John Barry was born in York on this day in 1933. He was also a classical fan, choosing Mahler 9 in both of his appearances on Desert Island Discs in 1967 and 1999. You can see his choices and hear the interview here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
November 3, 2025 at 6:46 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Get triumphant.

Yesterday, Don’t Stop Me Now became the first quarter-finalist.

What will join it in The Battle Of Contradictory Titles?

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
v
THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Reply-vote #AOBTD or #TSMGO by 10pm, when the show goes off.
a man is wearing a crown and holding a drum in his hand .
Alt: Freddie Mercury is wearing a crown on stage .
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:57 AM
A movie you’ve seen more than seven times with a gif
November 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Richard Irvine-Brown
#RIP #AdamGreenberg Adam was a brilliant cinematographer as well as the best possible collaborator and teacher. Working with him on THE TERMINATOR, ALIEN NATION and T2 made me a better producer. His quiet leadership on set as well as his innovative night photography made such a difference.
November 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Amazing STATISTICS thread, below.

Anyway, shut up, Rich. Do the vote.

DON'T STOP ME NOW
or
THESE ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Do you like it upbeat or not?

Vote by replying with your preference, and your thoughts on the matter if you want.

Let's go!
November 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

We have finished Round 2 and are into the last 16. Time for a stat attack!

On the left is the winning margin in the last game for each song. On the right is total votes in the tourney so far.
November 2, 2025 at 11:22 AM
#QueenWorldCup

Simply tell me: Which is better, Bohemian Rhapsody or I Want It All?

One song currently has a 2:1 lead.

But are we collectively backlashing?

Final whistle about 10pm.
November 1, 2025 at 6:41 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

It’s the FINAL game of Round 2.

But who will make it to the LAST 16?

Bohemian Rhapsody, an obscure track you’ve never heard, you casual fan.

I Want It All, that one everywhere on commercial radio, 1989-1991.

Reply to vote, extra points maybe for well-made reasons.
a video game character is standing next to another character with the words we doing the the fandangoooo on the bottom .
Alt: a video game character is standing next to another character with the words we doing the the fandangoooo on the bottom .
media.tenor.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:35 AM
#QueenWorldCup

It is tight. Absolutely squeaky.

BBC colleagues have gone 100% on Deacon's love song, Transformers pals have gone 100% late Queen, music mates are divided.

Here on Bluesky, it's 50-50.

Can YOU be the difference?

Tell me, which is better: YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND or INNUENDO?
October 31, 2025 at 2:48 PM
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

John Deacon love song v cherished late album title track.

Soppy v opera-y.

YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND
v
INNUENDO

Please, reply to vote. Maybe offer your reasoning, might get an extra point.
a black and white drawing of a face with a smiley face on it .
Alt: a black and white drawing of a face with a smiley face on it. It waggles its eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
media.tenor.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:43 AM
#QueenWorldCup

Old-school, no live commentary, only the result on Ceefax.
(It has been a busy day.)

Shame, as it was a tight one, and fun.

SEVEN SEAS OF RHYE - 10

WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER - 13

Ooh, you lot love Highlander.

Also, my mate Westy wrote this: www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthe...
October 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
QUEEN WORKD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

Route one:

SEVEN SEAS OF RHYE

WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER

That fast one off Greatest Hits, or that other one off Highlander?

Tell me which is better, by 10pm.
a man in a tuxedo with his arms outstretched in front of a row of candles .
Alt: Freddie Mercury in a tuxedo with his arms outstretched in front of a row of candles .
media.tenor.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:59 AM