Thousands have lined the streets to pay their respects
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.
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Sharon Osbourne read tributes alongside daughter Kelly OsbourneCredit: i-Images
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Sharon, Kelly and Jack all carried purple flowers wrapped in black paper to lay for OzzyCredit: i-Images
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Sharon lay flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge benchCredit: PA
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Ozzy’s daughter Aimee Osbourne, 41, was also in attendance alongside Kelly’s fiance and son (far left)Credit: Goff
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Sharon wore Ozzy’s ring on a chain around her neckCredit: Splash
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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.
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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.
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The procession was lead by a live brass band formed with local musicians from Bostin’ Brass in honour of Ozzy’s legacyCredit: i-Images
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Hoards of fans showed up to support the grieving familyCredit: mancpicss66
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The Osbourne clan hugged each other at the memorial siteCredit: mancpicss66
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Sharon, Aimee and Kelly were overwhelmed by the outpour of love for OzzyCredit: AFP
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Fans threw roses onto the funeral cortegeCredit: Story Picture Agency
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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.”
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Aimee donned a black bat broach in memory of her fatherCredit: Splash
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Kelly leant on her brother Jack for supportCredit: PA
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Sid Wilson (L), Kelly (C) and their son Sidney Wilson (2nd L)Credit: Getty
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The tributes continue to mount this afternoonCredit: Getty
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Wife Sharon and the Osbourne family travelled closely behind the hearseCredit: i-Images
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Floral and other tributes placed outside Ozzy’s childhood home in AstonCredit: PA
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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.
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People scrambled to find any spot they could to watch the processionCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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One young fan with an Ozzy Osbourne bat toyCredit: PA
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Creative fans made their own bat themed memorabiliaCredit: Getty
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A tribute written on a black heart-shaped balloonCredit: PA
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One fan has copied Ozzy’s iconic knuckle tattooCredit: AFP
Ozzy Osbourne’s procession in pictures
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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”.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
‘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.”
Fans gather on Broad Street
Huge crowds of mourners are waiting on Broad Street, including Black Sabbath Bridge bench, ahead of the funeral procession.
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.”
‘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.”
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.”
‘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.”
More fans arrive
Floods of people are starting to gather behind the metal barriers as Birmingham prepares for the emotional procession at 1pm.
More fans arrive
Floods of people are starting to gather behind the metal barriers as Birmingham prepares for the emotional procession at 1pm.
“SHE WORN IT FOR HIM…” – SHARON OSBOURNE’S ALL-BLACK DRESS AT OZZY’S FUNERAL REVEALS A SHOCKING SECRET
On July 30, 2025, Birmingham, England, pulsed with the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne as thousands gathered to honor the Black Sabbath legend, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at 76. The funeral procession, a vibrant blend of heavy metal anthems like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” played by a brass band, celebrated Ozzy’s larger-than-life legacy. Yet, it was during the private funeral at St. Philip’s Cathedral that a subtle detail in Sharon Osbourne’s attire captured the world’s attention. Dressed in an elegant all-black gown, Sharon unknowingly carried a hidden message sewn into the sleeve—a poignant tribute from Ozzy that shocked fans and left the congregation in tears when revealed.
A Celebration of Ozzy’s Legacy
The public procession through Birmingham was a fitting tribute to Ozzy’s wish for a joyous farewell, as he once told NME in 2015: “I want music, laughter, no tears.” A hearse, adorned with a purple floral cross spelling “Ozzy,” wound through streets lined with fans, pausing at his childhood home on Lodge Road and the Black Sabbath Bridge, where tributes included bat-shaped balloons and nods to the 1982 bat-biting incident. Sharon, accompanied by children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Louis, and Jessica, laid a pink rose at the Black Sabbath Bench, as fans chanted “Ozzy! Ozzy!” and “We love you, Sharon!” Organized with Birmingham City Council, the event reflected Ozzy’s recent Freedom of the City honor.
The cortege paused at Villa Park, site of Ozzy’s final concert on July 5, 2025, where he performed “Mama, I’m Coming Home” from a throne, his Parkinson’s and 2019 spinal injury limiting his mobility but not his heart. The performance, livestreamed to millions, set the tone for a procession that balanced joy and grief.
The Private Funeral
The private funeral at St. Philip’s Cathedral was an intimate affair, attended by Sharon, Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Louis, Jessica, Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, and close friends like Judas Priest’s Rob Halford. The cathedral, draped in purple and black, hosted emotional eulogies. Sharon spoke of Ozzy’s rise from Birmingham’s working-class roots to global stardom, his battles with addiction, and his love for his family. Kelly recalled their duet “Changes,” a UK number-one hit in 2003, while Jack shared stories from Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, evoking laughter and tears.
As the service progressed, Sharon stood by the coffin, her all-black dress a striking symbol of mourning. The gown, custom-made by a designer close to the family, was elegant yet understated, with long sleeves and a flowing train. Fans watching via livestream noticed Sharon’s grace, but it was Kelly who, during a quiet moment, spotted something unusual—a faint shimmer of embroidery on the inner lining of Sharon’s sleeve as she adjusted her dress.
The Hidden Message in the Sleeve
Kelly, standing beside her mother, gently lifted the sleeve to reveal delicate silver thread stitched into the black satin lining. The embroidery, nearly invisible against the fabric, spelled out: “My Sharon, my forever. Keep rocking. – Ozzy, ‘82.” The date, 1982, marked the year Sharon and Ozzy married, a pivotal moment after his firing from Black Sabbath in 1979 and the launch of his solo career with Blizzard of Ozz. Sharon, stunned, whispered, “She worn it for him…” to Kelly, her voice trembling as she realized the dress had been altered at Ozzy’s request, likely years earlier.
The message was a secret Ozzy had arranged, possibly during his reflective years after his 2003 Parkinson’s diagnosis or 2019 spinal injury. Sharon later told People that the dress was one Ozzy had insisted she wear for a special occasion, stored away since the early 2000s. “He said it was for something important, but I never imagined this,” she said. The embroidery, done by a Birmingham seamstress who worked with the Osbournes during their early tours, was a testament to Ozzy’s foresight and devotion. Tony Iommi, in a Kerrang! interview, called it “Ozzy’s final riff, played through Sharon’s heart.”
The congregation gasped as Sharon revealed the message, holding up the sleeve for all to see. The words, a love letter from 1982, echoed Ozzy’s vows to Sharon during their tumultuous yet enduring marriage. Despite challenges, including a 1989 incident where Ozzy was arrested for attempting to harm Sharon while intoxicated, their bond grew stronger, fortified by her management of his career through Ozzfest and The Osbournes (2002–2005).
A Life of Love and Resilience
Ozzy’s journey from a Birmingham factory worker to a heavy metal icon was marked by brilliance and struggle. With Black Sabbath, he sold over 100 million records, defining a genre with albums like Master of Reality. His solo career, guided by Sharon, soared with Diary of a Madman and No More Tears. Health battles, including a 2003 quad bike accident and Parkinson’s, tested him, but his love for Sharon and their children—Kelly, Jack, Aimee, Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot—remained his anchor. “Sharon’s my soul,” he told The Guardian in 2010, a sentiment the embroidered message immortalized.
Kelly, sharing a photo of the sleeve on Instagram, wrote, “Dad’s love for Mum was sewn into every moment. This dress is his forever.” Jack told Billboard, “Dad always had a way of surprising us. This was his love song to Mum.” Aimee, present despite her private nature, joined her siblings in tears, while Louis and Jessica marveled at their father’s romantic gesture.
A Legacy Woven in Love
The discovery of the embroidered message transformed Sharon’s dress into a symbol of Ozzy’s enduring love. Fans, moved by the story, left purple ribbons and love notes at the Black Sabbath Bridge, with messages like “Ozzy & Sharon Forever.” Birmingham Airport announced plans for a mural honoring Ozzy, while his memoir Last Rites (set for release October 7, 2025) and a 2026 concert film of his final Villa Park performance will keep his legacy alive.
Sharon, wearing the dress at a post-funeral tribute, told Sky News, “He wanted me to wear this for him, and I did. It’s his heart, stitched into mine.” The message, hidden in the sleeve, was a final encore from Ozzy, a reminder that his love for Sharon transcended time. As Kelly said, “Mum wore it for him, and he’s still with us, in every thread.” In Birmingham and beyond, Ozzy’s legacy of music, love, and surprises endures, sewn into the fabric of his family’s hearts.
