TEARFUL Sharon Osbourne broke down as she read fans’ touching tributes to her beloved husband Ozzy.
Sharon was supported by their children Jack, 39, Kelly, 40 and Aimee, 41, and Ozzy’s son Louis, 50, as the family followed behind the Black Sabbath icon’s hearse through the streets of Birmingham.
Sharon Osbourne read tributes alongside daughter Kelly OsbourneCredit: i-Images
Sharon, Kelly and Jack all carried purple flowers wrapped in black paper to lay for OzzyCredit: i-Images
Sharon lay flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge benchCredit: PA
Ozzy’s daughter Aimee Osbourne, 41, was also in attendance alongside Kelly’s fiance and son (far left)Credit: Goff
Sharon wore Ozzy’s ring on a chain around her neckCredit: Splash
Ozzy’s name was displayed using pink flowersCredit: Alamy
Thousands gathered to pay their respects to the Black Sabbath legend today.
The family arrived carrying purple flowers wrapped in black paper to lay for the late rock star.
Sharon cried as she held onto daughter Kelly and son Jack’s arms, and walked slowly towards the memorial.
She kept her gaze down and appeared to kiss the flower before tentatively laying it down upon hundreds of other bouquets.
Kelly and Jack helped Sharon stand back up, as she covered her face, overwhelmed with emotion.
Both siblings were also in tears as they supported their mother.
Sharon wore Ozzy’s ring on a chain around her neck in memory of her late husband, while Kelly donned round sunglasses in a nod her father’s famous look.
Kelly turned to lean on her fiance Sid Wilson who was standing close-by with their son Sidney after reading tributes.
Stoic Sharon and her rarely seen daughter Aimee also waved to the emotional crowd and gave peace signs to fans.
They stood alongside Louis, Ozzy’s son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, who was donning a purply tie in honour of his father.
Ozzy Osbourne funeral plans revealed
Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together
Chants of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” rang out, with many shouting messages of support for Sharon.
One could be heard saying “we love you Sharon” as she laid flowers next to the cortege.
Ozzy’s name was displayed in the funeral cortege with vibrant purple flowers.
The procession was lead by a live brass band formed with local musicians from Bostin’ Brass in honour of Ozzy’s legacy.
Ozzy’s heart would have broken seeing Sharon’s tears
By Ellie Henman
TO the sound of the fantastic Bostin Brass Band, Ozzy’s cortege passed slowly along Broad Street.
Along with the bursts of applause from the thousands of devoted fans who had lined up to say goodbye, the procession was everything Ozzy would have wanted.
This day was, as he had hoped, a celebration of his life and his legacy.
His heart however, I know, would have broken to see his wife Sharon, held up by her son Jack, breaking down in tears in front of the sea of flowers that had been laid for him at the Black Sabbath bridge.
Those close enough to Sharon shouted out to her and applauded in a small gesture of support.
Today was no doubt one of the most difficult days of Sharon’s life.
My heart ached as I saw Jack, Aimee, Kelly and Louis standing shoulder to shoulder in the city their father made so proud.
Losing your husband, your father, is difficult enough. Sharing that grief, although they wanted to, would have been incredibly hard.
This afternoon’s procession was the first of two fitting farewells to the Prince of Darkness who would have no doubt made a joke about all the fuss.
As Ozzy himself said, there was no such thing as death for him.
“I will retire when I hear the nail go in the box and then I will do an encore,” he joked last year.
“I am the Prince of Darkness.”
Tomorrow Sharon, their children, and Ozzy’s closest friends will gather at a church in Gerrards Cross to say their final goodbyes to the pioneer of heavy metal music.
Ozzy, I have been told, will then be laid to rest in the family’s Buckinghamshire home where he made so many happy memories.
The pain of his loss will never go away for those closest to him and for the fans who held him up as an icon.
But with his music, Ozzy’s legacy will continue to inspire and delight generations to come.
The Jaguar hearse carrying the singer’s coffin went by his childhood home, where tributes also mount, just before 1pm.
It was accompanied by six Mercedes funeral cars, police motorcycle riders and a police car, on Lodge Road, before making its way to Broad Street.
Fans began gathering from early this morning, with touching floral tributes left by the Black Sabbath bench in the centre of the city.
Some have displayed hand-painted banners, while others are holding Prince of Darkness themed balloons.
Many in the crowd are showing off their Ozzy tattoos in honour of the late rock legend.
The procession was lead by a live brass band formed with local musicians from Bostin’ Brass in honour of Ozzy’s legacyCredit: i-Images
Hoards of fans showed up to support the grieving familyCredit: mancpicss66
The Osbourne clan hugged each other at the memorial siteCredit: mancpicss66
Sharon, Aimee and Kelly were overwhelmed by the outpour of love for OzzyCredit: AFP
Fans threw roses onto the funeral cortegeCredit: Story Picture Agency
She hailed fans with peace signs alongside her rarely seen daughter Aimee and Ozzy’s son from his first marriage Louis (donning a purple tie)Credit: Goff
Black Sabbath fan Goose, who watched the procession, said they discovered heavy metal as a teenager.
“That’s when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,” they said.
“We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence.
“Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people’s lives.”
Fellow fan Evie Mayo said the heavy metal star inspired her and everyone in Birmingham.
She said: “I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well.
“Now that he’s not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.”
Aimee donned a black bat broach in memory of her fatherCredit: Splash
Kelly leant on her brother Jack for supportCredit: PA
Sid Wilson (L), Kelly (C) and their son Sidney Wilson (2nd L)Credit: Getty
The tributes continue to mount this afternoonCredit: Getty
Wife Sharon and the Osbourne family travelled closely behind the hearseCredit: i-Images
Floral and other tributes placed outside Ozzy’s childhood home in AstonCredit: PA
Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral service will be held at a church in Gerrards Cross tomorrowCredit: ROSS HALFIN
She added: “He inspired me by, I love his music, absolutely love his music. I’m learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.”
The singer, who died last Tuesday aged 76, will be laid to rest tomorrow in a private family service on grounds of his home after today’s procession.
Singer and friend of the Osbourne’s, Yungblud, will be giving a reading.
A source said: “Sharon and the family want to celebrate Ozzy’s life with his fans, with plans for the cortege to travel through Birmingham.
“Tomorrow they will have a closed service at a church in Gerrards Cross, Bucks.”
Ozzy died at home in his stunning mansion in Welders, Buckinghamshire “surrounded by love”.
The icon became known as the “Prince of Darkness” in his six-decade career thanks to his on-stage antics that attracted a legion of heavy rock fans.
His death drew condolences from stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Sir Elton John.
People scrambled to find any spot they could to watch the processionCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
One young fan with an Ozzy Osbourne bat toyCredit: PA
Creative fans made their own bat themed memorabiliaCredit: Getty
A tribute written on a black heart-shaped balloonCredit: PA
One fan has copied Ozzy’s iconic knuckle tattooCredit: AFP
By Sam Creed
Ozzy Osbourne’s procession in pictures
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By Sam Creed
Ozzy’s hearse adorned with purple crucifix
The rock icon’s hearse was simply decorated with one purple crucifix on the top of the vehicle.
Inside, pink flowers spelling out “Ozzy” were laid next to his coffin.
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By Sam Creed
Fans admire hundreds of tributes
Fans have united around the Black Sabbath Bridge – named in honour of the heavy metal band – to take in the tributes for the rock icon.
They were spotted taking pictures and paying their personal respects as the procession continues through Birmingham.
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By Sam Creed
Ozzy’s children in tears
As they stood alongside Sharon while she read tributes at the Black Sabbath Bench, his children were also very emotional.
Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39, stood either side of their mum as she laid her own floral tribute, each placing a hand on her shoulder.
Kelly was spotted leaning on her brother for support at one point.
She was also supported by daughter Aimee, 41, as the family followed behind the Black Sabbath icon’s hearse.
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By Sam Creed
Black Sabbath Bridge shrouded in tributes
It is impossible to see much of the iconic Black Sabbath Bridge or Bench in the city centre.
Hundreds of floral tributes, balloons, Aston Villa shirts and messages have been tied to the black railings.
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By Sam Creed
Fans clamber onto stalls to catch a glimpse
During the procession, Ozzy’s legion of hardcore fans were spotted clambering over each other and onto kiosks to catch a glimpse of the hearse.
Fans of all ages were kitted out in Black Sabbath clothing or make-up in tribute to the frontman.
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By Sam Creed
Fans have hailed the “perfect send off” for Ozzy
Reacting online to emotional scenes at Black Sabbath Bench, fans praised Sharon’s commitment to her husband and their family.
Writing on X, one said: The perfect send-off for the Prince of Darkness.
“My heart breaks for Sharon and the kids. She was the matriarch of the family and kept the family together through thick and thin.
“Seeing her like this, it’s heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Ozzy Osbourne.”
By Sam Creed
The cortege continues along Birmingham city centre
Flowers are being thrown and chants continue to ring out in Birmingham city centre as thousands pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness.
Some Aston Villa flags have been spotted in the crowd in a nod to Ozzy’s love for the Birmingham side.
His farewell concert was hosted at Villa Park earlier this month, just 17 days before he died.
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By Sam Creed
Sharon reads tributes at Black Sabbath Bench
An emotional Sharon could be seen fighting back her tears as she read tributes to her late husband.
The Prince of Darkness died at the family mansion in Buckinghamshire with Sharon by his side.
By Sam Creed
Fans roar in support of Sharon
While chants of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” continue, many are shouting messages of support for Sharon.
One could be heard saying “we love you Sharon” as she laid flowers next to the cortege – which is now stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge.
By Sam Creed
Sharon spotted in tears
Fans roared in support of heartbroken Sharon Osbourne, who was married to Ozzy for 43 years.
She laid flowers and wept as she was joined by her children.
By Sam Creed
Ozzy’s fans in full voice for the rock icon
Ozzy once said that he didn’t want his funeral to be a “mope-fest” – and his fans certainly aren’t letting him down.
Chants of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” ring out as the procession continues down the road.
By Sam Creed
“Ozzy” written in flowers beside the rock icon’s coffin
Thousands of fans are watching on as the hearse makes its way down Broad Street.
Beautiful flowers have been spotted next to the coffin, spelling out “Ozzy”.
By Sam Creed
The procession makes its down Broad Street
The hearse and accompanying vehicles have started making their way down Broad Street.
The cortege is accompanied a live brass band – performance by local musicians from Bostin’ Brass.
By Ed Southgate
Fans are kitted out in Black Sabbath gear
Thousands are lining the streets wearing Black Sabbath themed clothes and make-up.
Many have been passing flowers to security to place at the memorial, while others have been bursting out into “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy oi oi oi” chants.
By Sam Creed
Lord Mayor of Birmingham spotted admiring tributes
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal has been chatting to hundreds of fans who have lined the street to pay tribute to the rock icon.
He was seen admiring floral tributes for Ozzy ahead of the procession, which is set to make its way down Broad Street to Black Sabbath Bridge shortly.
Speaking ahead of the procession, Mayor Iqbal said: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.
“It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.”
By Ed Southgate
Fears growing that tributes to Ozzy were stolen overnight.
Flowers and football shirts were among memorials that mysteriously disappeared overnight from the Ozzy Bully in Harborne.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “We are asking everybody to show due respect to the memorial on the Black Sabbath Bench at this time, and any other memorial to Ozzy Osbourne found in Birmingham.
“Stealing flowers from the memorial is unacceptable. If any flowers have been stolen, the council will look into this and take appropriate action.”
By Summer Raemason
‘He touched so many people’s lives’
Black Sabbath fan Goose told the PA news agency they discovered heavy metal as a teenager.
“That’s when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,” they said.
“We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence.
“Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people’s lives.”
By Ryan Merrifield
Fans gather on Broad Street
Huge crowds of mourners are waiting on Broad Street, including Black Sabbath Bridge bench, ahead of the funeral procession.
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By Summer Raemason
Former Black Sabbath manager pays his respects
Jim Simpson has joined fans today to say goodbye to Ozzy.
“It’s a funny thing, Ozzy and I were very close. I have missed not being in contact with him for quite a few decades,” he told BirminghamLive.
“I missed him and today is the full stop.
“He’s an icon and Birmingham is the UK symbol of rock and roll.”
By Summer Raemason
‘God of Metal’
Outside Ozzy Osbourne’s childhood home, one fan paid his respects to the rock legend.
Austin, known as Ozzy, told Sky: “He was the biggest deal in the world to us, he was the god of metal..
“His on-stage antics were insane, zero to hero, that’s what he is.
“Words cannot describe what they were to people.”
By Summer Raemason
Crowds are growing
With just over three hours until the procession begins, large crowds are forming outside.
Some fans are waiting on camper chairs while others are blowing up balloons and displaying hand-painted banners.
One local artist told BirminghamLive: “Ozzy has a great legacy, he was born and raised here. He resonates with so many people, it’s not just about the music for me.”
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By Summer Raemason
‘We came to say goodbye’
Ella Thomas, 21, is one of hundreds of fans who have already arrived to pay tribute.
She told BirminghamLive: “I’ve always, always loved Ozzy and Black Sabbath and we got tickets to the last concert.
“It was so emotional for everyone. It was important to come here today to give back. We stayed in a hotel this morning.”
Her mom, Gaynor Upton, added: “Going to the gig was so emotional. Ozzy connected with everyone in that stadium so much and so it really matters that we come here today to say goodbye.”
By Summer Raemason
More fans arrive
Floods of people are starting to gather behind the metal barriers as Birmingham prepares for the emotional procession at 1pm.
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By Summer Raemason
More fans arrive
Floods of people are starting to gather behind the metal barriers as Birmingham prepares for the emotional procession at 1pm.
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