Queen have announced that they will headline this years Sonisphere festival, with Adam Lambert stepping up to lead singer duties.

The solo star, who also releases his new album 'Trespassing' this year, will take on the role of Freddie Mercury alongside original band members Brian May and Roger Taylor. Lambert first joined the band for a performance at the 2011 MTV EMAs.

Speaking to the Daily Star about his new job, Adam said: “The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f*****g great songs. It’s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of.”

Adding: “After the EMAs, I heard faint little slithers of a backlash from people saying: ‘You can’t replace Freddie Mercury.’ But I already knew that.

“There’s no intention in my mind of replacing Freddie. That’s impossible. The way I’m choosing to view it is that it’s a great honour and one I’m in no way going to shirk.”

Sonisphere 2012 will tour Europe, stopping off in the UK at Knebworth between July 6-8.