Several popularity polls conducted over the past decade indicate that Freddie Mercury’s reputation may, in fact, have been enhanced since his death. For instance, in a 2002 vote to determine who the UK public considers the greatest British people in history, Mercury was ranked 58 in the list of the “100 Greatest Britons,” broadcast by the BBC. He was further listed at the 52nd spot in a 2007 Japanese national survey of the 100 most “influential heroes.” Despite the fact that he had been criticised by gay activists for hiding his HIV status, author Paul Russell included Mercury in his book “The Gay 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Gay Men and Lesbians, Past and Present.” Other entertainers on Russell’s list included Liberace and Rock Hudson. In 2008 Rolling Stone magazine ranked Mercury 18 on its list of the “Top 100 Singers Of All Time”.