Glorious vocals, Food, wine, whiskey and Freddy Mercury: South African vocalist Warren Driscoll ticks all those boxes – and he does all that with diabetes type 2. Famous for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Queen: It’s A Kinda Magic, he is mindful that he is better known in Canada, than in his home country and that is something that he wants to change. After six years touring the world in Queen, Driscoll has decided to dedicate more time to perform in SA and wants to develop his advocacy work and put diabetes type 2 in the spotlight as a condition to manage and fit into lifestyle and career. Driscoll who was born in in East London, started out young in showbiz. He joined the Drakensberg Boys Choir in Grade 5 (age 10/11) and his vocal smarts have led him to acclaimed roles in tribute shows and sharing the stage with icons such as Luciano Pavarotti, Joshua Bell, and the Soweto String Quartet. Get a glimpse of his glittering career on his Instagram page http://@mr_driscoll. We asked him what is in store for 2026:
TheCapeRobyn: Will you be able to take a break over the festive season? You are currently on tour in New Zealand with Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic New Zealand National Tour (October 2025) which let us mention is Showtime Australia’s long-running hit stage show.
Warren Driscoll: I have been touring heavily in 2025 and haven’t been home since March. I’ve been extremely grateful for a busy year of music. I think, that when I get home, I’ll be resting for the 2025 festive season. I’m always open to exciting new challenges but I’ll be home relaxing and brainstorming projects I have in mind for 2026.
TCR: What do you have planned for 2026 for stage in South Africa?
WD: I’m very excited for 2026 because I aim on being more present in the South African music scene and doing more intimate shows which I plan on producing myself. In 2026, I will still have couple of months where I will be on tour in Canada and a few other places, but my goal is definitely to be more present at home and hopefully work and collaborate with more SA artists.
While music is where most of my personal projects are aimed, I am also passionate about wine and whiskey so there are a few non music ideas I plan to explore and possibly combine after more thoughts and experiments.
TCR: How about musicals? You were a chief chorister for The Drakensberg Boys Choir. You studied towards a B.Mus at UCT. In addition to tribute shows, have you done musicals?
WD: Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to complete my B. Mus degree, I had to drop out of university to support my family after my father passed away from leukaemia in December 2016. It was definitely a hit the ground running moment so I would say I had 3/4 of a B. Mus As for musical theatre I have never seen myself as much of an actor. I have always put singing and vocal performance first. It is something that I would be willing to try for the sake of a new challenge but it’s definitely not something I’m confident with.
TCR: After years of touring globally, you are focusing on your live performance on your home country, South Africa?
WD: I’ve been touring as Freddie Mercury for six years now and I’ve incredible experiences both abroad and at home in terms of performances. But it occurred to me that more people in Canada are aware of me as performer, than at home. I feel like I need to correct that imbalance. And I would love to be sharing what I’ve done abroad on home turf more often.
TCR: Can you tell us about your advocacy work to raiseawareness for diabetes?
WD: Yes I am a Type 1 diabetic (T1D) and I have had it for over 10 years. It has always proved to be a little difficult especially in the context of being on stage and performing with a lot of physical intensity and trying to manage the ideal glucose level. Unfortunately there is always the stigma attached to diabetes – people believe their life is limited because of the illness – because they’ve heard it from a doctor – who has studied it but never had to live with it- or parents and friends all have an opinion on what it is to be diabetic and once again give advice they’ve never needed to apply. Because of these influences I see many diabetics stopping themselves from trying things like running, sport, enjoying good food or wine. They are always eating the low carb option and Weetabix. So, a couple of years ago I got to meet a group of type 1 diabetics from different places and careers in life all brought together by the lifestyle that comes with diabetes. And it made me realise we really can do almost anything it just requires a bit more effort on our end so, myself and a couple of these wonderful people partnered with Abbott FreeStyle Libre to raise awareness for CGM (continuous glucose Monitor) technology and to show how this technology can give you as a diabetic more control in the decisions you make when considering the impact and effect diabetes has. So that is the little sensor you see on my arm. To me it is also a symbol of inspiration and confidence.
TCR: Tell us about your passion for whiskey and wine?
WD: I am a massive foodie, whiskey and wine lover, I collect wine and whiskey at home and have friends that get together for “whiskey Wednesdays” we hang out share single malt whiskeys. It’s one of my favourite pass times when I’m home and seeing friends. With my glucose monitor, I can ensure that my diabetes is stable, which is amazing as I can the foods that I love and perform in shows which take a lot of stamina.
✳ Featured image – South African vocalist Warren Driscoll is famous for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Queen: It’s A Kinda Magic, which has toured internationally. This interview has been marginally edited for length and clarity. Pics: Supplied.
