Queen legend Sir Brian May shared a candid New Year message with his 3.6 million Instagram followers, emphasising that good health is essential to enjoying life after enduring a stroke in 2024 and heart attack in 2020
Queen’s legendary guitarist, Sir Brian May, has admitted that it’s “hard to enjoy anything” without good health in a heartfelt New Year message to his fans. The 78 year old rock star and astrophysicist has faced numerous health issues in recent years, including a frightening stroke in August 2024.
While he didn’t specifically mention his own health battles in the post, it’s clear that the Queen member cherishes good health and all that comes with it. Speaking to his 3.6 million Instagram followers, he posted an animated image of himself smiling and playing his guitar while his song ‘New Horizons’ played in the background.
Brian penned: “Hello dear folks ! ! ! These are my sentiments in wishing you a great New Year – New Horizons – new opportunities – new dreams – new challenges – new fulfilments ! ! ! And Good Health.
“Without which it’s hard to enjoy anything …. thanks @concha_q and @st.zlat.proreal for@this timely reminder of one of the most inspiring times of my life – as a guest collaborator on the New Horizons NASA mission to Pluto and then on to the Kuiper Belt Object which became known as Arrokoth.
“But the FUTURE is still out there ! ! Let’s go find it ! ! ! HAPPY NEW YEAR to all creatures! Including YOU ! ! !”, reports the Mirror.
Fans were quick to shower the star with well-wishes and compliments on the shared artwork. One admirer penned: “Dear Bri, a very Happy New Year to you, Anita and all who are dear to you! May you always be healthy and free from worry! I am convinced your dreams will come true, because you are someone who does what it takes,”.
Another follower expressed: “Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Sir Brian. Wishing you the best of everything in 2026. Much love and respect to you always!” A third chimed in: “Happy New Year 2026 dear Dr Bri! Wonderful memories of New Horizons and what gorgeous art! Be happy, peaceful and well everyone!”.
A fourth fan wrote: “Happy New Year, Sir Brian! Wishing you a year filled with smiles and joy. Please take good care of yourself during this cold season”, as reported by the Express.
Meanwhile, another supporter shared: “Dear Bri- Thank you for wishing us such beautiful sentiments in this Happy New Year! I wish you beautiful things and new discoveries, good health for the coming year, and multitudes of Happiness, Love, and endless possibilities – more New Horizons and new Dreams to follow.
“Sending you Love and a gentle hug across the stars on this Happy New Years Day! May 2026 always be a year to bring you good memories. And thanks so much for sharing @concha_q and @st.zlat.proreal for their beautiful artwork tribute to your New Horizons collaboration and beautiful contribution to NASA, including this energetic and beautiful song.
“We can reach for New Horizons. We can reach for the stars! !” Brian has characterised his medical battles as a “wake-up call”.
During an appearance on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend in November 2025, he disclosed: “I’ve had a number of things, the stroke was one of them. I get these things, but I seem to be able to get out of them. They give you a wake-up call.”
Merely a week following his stroke, which he dubbed a “health hiccup”, he confirmed his ability to play guitar had returned, despite initially losing control of one arm. Brian also suffered a heart attack in 2020.
Having originally brushed it off as a gardening injury, Brian now admits he “could have died”. After his health scare, he underwent the fitting of three stents – small tubes that maintain open blocked arteries – to aid his recovery.
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