Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed that he has been taken to hospital after a bout of "over-enthusiastic gardening" during the coronavirus lockdown.

At 72, the rocker is considered to be in the 'at risk' category for the deadly COVID-19 but taking to social media, he revealed that he has been hospitalised for a different reason - tearing his gluteus maximus, the largest muscle in the bum.

"Reality check ! For me. No - the Virus didn't get me yet - thank God. Hope you're all keeping extra-safe out there," he wrote. "A decision to relax controls doesn't suddenly make the danger go away.

"But me ?? Yes, I've been quiet. Reason ? As well as getting over-stretched and harassed by too many demands ... I managed to rip my Gluteus Maximus to shreds in a moment of over-enthusiastic gardening.

"So suddenly I find myself in a hospital getting scanned to find out exactly how much I've actually damaged myself.

"Turns out I did a thorough job - this is a couple of days ago - and I won't be able to walk for a while ... or sleep, without a lot of assistance, because the pain is relentless. So, folks ... I need to go dark for a while, getting some complete rest, at home."

May is known to be a keen gardener and also runs a rescue centre for hedgehogs, badgers and foxes.