'Bowie the real star of Live Aid ...not Freddie'

DAVID Bowie was the inspirational star man who generated millions of pounds of donations with his Live Aid performance, not Freddie Mercury's powerful set with Queen.

- By James Desborough

That is the insight from the man behind the ultimate charity event, Sir Bob Geldof, just months before its 40th anniversary in July.

Sir Bob was keen to shut down suggestions that Queen's iconic set prompted millions of viewers to call in to donate large sums, as put across in the film biopic We Will Rock You.

Actor Rami Malek won an Oscar for his portrayal of Mercury.

But Boomtown Rats frontman Sir Bob feels that film was portrayal false. He insists Bowie played a captivating set and included a harrowing video of famine victims, which "melted down" phone lines.