AN AIR ambulance rushed to Ozzy Osbourne's million-pound mansion as crews battled to save the rock legend in his final moments.
The Black Sabbath frontman, 76, died "surrounded by love" at their home in Welders, Buckinghamshire, yesterday.
Sharon, his wife of 43 years and mum to their children Aimee, Jack and Kelly, was by his side.
A statement signed by his family said yesterday evening: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
Thames Valley Air Ambulance said that a crew had been dispatched to provide "advanced critical care".
A spokesperson for the service confirmed to MailOnline: "We can confirm that our helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident near Chalfont St Giles yesterday."
Ozzy 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.
Shortly prior to his passing, the Changes hitmaker told of his strict health monitoring and medical check-ins.
On his Sirius XM show in May, Ozzy said: "I am constantly in training seven days a week.
"I have got this guy who's virtually living with me and I am in bed by seven.
"I used to have to take a handful of f***ing sleeping pills.
"Now I don't take anything. I am having my blood pressure taken 15 times a day.
"I've got this f***ing device on my finger. It's a monitor to say how my heart rate is."
He then said of his life approach: "I'm just taking it one day at a time.
"Ask him upstairs. In my case, the one below."
He last graced the stage earlier this month when he reunited with his bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward and played a five-song set in a farewell to music.
The gig was touted as "the greatest heavy metal show ever," with Ozzy grinning to chanting fans as he thanked them for all they had done for him.
The icon vowed, however, that it would be his final performance due to his deteriorating health, having opened up about his battle with Parkinson's in 2020.
After the show he watched on as his daughter Kelly was proposed to by her boyfriend Sid Wilson.
Tributes have been pouring in for Ozzy from across the music world.
Addressing dozens of fans on Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street in Birmingham, the band's first manager Jim Simpson said Ozzy was a "really nice kid".
He added: "The fact is, there are people here who are 80 years of age or eight years of age and all stages in between and it shows he had a remarkable way of contacting people.
"It has been 55 years and still (Black Sabbath) are more popular than ever.
"It is remarkable and they have all done a great job and they should be proud of themselves."
"He even said beforehand that he expected to die on the stage at the July the 5th show at Villa Park.
"The world's lost an inordinately nice, balanced, human being."
The legend cemented his place in rock history early in his career with controversial displays such as biting the head off a bat.
The stunt came in 1982, during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa, when a fan threw the animal on stage.
Ozzy, believing it to be made of rubber, bit into the carcass, and later had to be plied with rabies shots.
He also snorted a line of ants while on tour with the notorious Mötley Crüe band in the '80s.
Off-stage the rocker also hit headlines for eye-brow raising appearances, such as the time he urinated on the Cenotaph at the Alamo while wearing one of Sharon's dresses.
She had reportedly hidden his clothes in an attempt to stop him from venturing out – but he ended up banned from San Antonio for a decade.
Although his wild behaviour would have been enough to see some artists blacklisted, Ozzy became a loveable rogue who captured fans' hearts across the globe.
In 2001, Ozzy appealed to a whole new audience after appearing in reality TV show The Osbournes with his family.
More on Ozzy Osbourne…
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- How Sharon's devotion to Ozzy never wavered through his drug hell
Its first series was the most-watched show ever on MTV and propelled Jack and Kelly into stardom, with the latter enjoying a music career of her own.
Matriarch Sharon also carved out a successful showbiz career for herself – first as an X Factor judge, then host of her own show in the US.
With the family's success growing, they hosted the 30th Annual American Music Awards and later the Brit Awards in London.
The family's hugely popular show ran until 2005 and portrayed heartbreaking moments for the family – including Sharon's battle with cancer and the quad bike accident that nearly killed Ozzy.
The family later starred in the reality series The Osbournes Want to Believe and special The Osbournes: Night of Terror, which both focused on paranormal investigations.
Tributes poured in for the legend following his family's announcement last year.
Black Sabbath shared a picture of Ozzy on his icon throne, with the simple caption: "Ozzy Forever!"
David Coverdale, founder and lead singer of rock band Whitesnake – and rumoured to once be considered for the role of Black Sabbath frontman – shared a message on X.
"My Sincere Condolences To Sharon, The Family, Friends & Fans," he wrote.
Actor Jason Momoa also shared a snap taken with Ozzy and Sharon.
"All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful. RIP," he wrote.
Heartbroken fans have also paid their respects to the icon.
One said on X: "RIP Ozzy Osbourne #Ozzy."
Another added: "Rip Ozzy, condolences to the Osbornes."
"Heavy Metal lost an icon today, just weeks after his final show. RIP Ozzy. Thank you for everything," agreed a third.
Black Sabbath lead tributes to rock legend after his tragic death
Black Sabbath paid tribute to one of their own.
They wrote on X: "Ozzy Forever!", while sharing a picture of the late singer.
Pantera
The US heavy metal band also wrote on Instagram: "RIP @ozzyosbourne "Thank you for all that you did for metal & Pantera.
"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Amy & Louis, we are so very sorry for your loss."
Piers Morgan
The media personality shared a photo on Instagram, showing himself alongside Ozzy and his wife Sharon.
Piers penned: "RIP Ozzy Osbourne.
"One of the greatest rock stars in history, and a wonderful character.
"Truly one of the funniest people I've ever known. I'm so glad he got to do his final show back in Birmingham two weeks ago, it meant so much to him.
"I once asked Ozzy what was the best moment of his life and he replied instantly: 'Meeting Sharon.' My heart breaks for her."
Danny Baker
The comedy writer and radio DJ wrote: "I have been a Black Sabbath fan almost my entire life.
"And when I say Black Sabbath I mean the band with Ozzy Osbourne in it. Everything else was business.
"They were just immense. A thundering voice and noise direct from the working class."
Aston Villa
Ozzy grew up in Aston – and the football club shared a tribute after news of his passing.
The caption read: "Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rock star and Villain, Ozzy Osbourne has passed away.
"Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and community he came from.
"The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends and countless fans at this extremely difficult time.
"Rest in peace, Ozzy."
PETA
PETA said in a statement to The Sun – From PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange:
"Ozzy Osbourne was a legend and a provocateur, but PETA will remember the "Prince of Darkness" most fondly for the gentle side he showed to animals—most recently cats, by using his fame to decry painful, crippling declawing mutilations.
"Ozzy may have been the singer, but his wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Kelly, were of one voice when it meant protecting animals.
"Ozzy will be missed by animal advocates the world over."
Yungblud
Singer-songwriter Yungblud wrote on X: "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room.
"But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don't.
"I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage.
"Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own.
"You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough.
"You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time."
Rod Stewart
The 80-year-old shared in his Instagram story: "Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well my friend.
"I'll see you up there – later rather than sooner. – Sir Rod Stewart"
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, the star had a string of jobs including labourer, plumber and abattoir worker after dropping out of school aged 15.
He was raised by his parents Lilian and John, with three older sisters and two younger brothers, in a humble two-bed house.
The youngster struggled in education with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia.
And Ozzy became entangled with petty crime and served two months in prison for burglary.
It was during his stint behind bars he gave himself his first tattoo, his iconic OZZY on the knuckles of his left hand.
The singer then pursued his love of music after hearing The Beatles hit She Loves You in 1963.
After appearing in a handful of school plays, Ozzy joined bassist Geezer Butler in their first group Rare Breed in 1967 at the age of 19.
When that band split, the pair reunited in Polka Tulk Blues alongside Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward.
They renamed the group, originally called Earth, as Black Sabbath.
The band took on satanic and occult themes, which were enough to see them condemned by future pope Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
Some of Black Sabbath's most iconic hits featured on their second album Paranoid.
Fans hailed the heavy metal artists for their classics including Iron Man and War Pigs.
The skyrocketed to international fame with five consecutive platinum selling albums within three years.
But Ozzy himself quit the band in 1978, with a spiral into drug abuse leading to a divorce from first wife Thelma Mayfair, who he had two children with.
However by the 1980s, Black Sabbath signed Don Arden as their manager.
This led Ozzy to meet his future wife Sharon – Arden's daughter.
The pair eventually tied the knot on July 4, 1982 – a date set by Ozzy so he would never forget their anniversary.
Although it wasn't always smooth sailing – Ozzy originally fobbed Sharon off because he believed she would think he was a "lunatic".
But the singer could not be more wrong and the couple went on to have three children together, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.
With Sharon's encouragement and help from her music manager dad Don, he began to carve out a successful solo career.
Ozzy later opened up about his first wife Thelma, to whom he was married for 11 years and welcomed two children with – Jessica and Louis.
The rocker also adopted Thelma's son Elliot.
He admitted the union had failed because of his career and drug use, calling himself "a complete idiot" for being "abusive" to her.
Ozzy's seminal first album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 became a multi-platinum success thanks to Ozzy's howling vocals and macabre laugh on hit Crazy Train.
However, in 1989 Ozzy's hardcore partying lifestyle took a sinister turn when he tried to strangle Sharon.
Although the couple have famously spoken about how they both gave as good as they got, the incident saw Ozzy seek help for his drug use.
She agreed not to press charges if he went to rehab – a decision that allowed the icon to continue performing.
Black Sabbath studio albums
- Black Sabbath – 1970
- Paranoid – 1970
- Master of Reality – 1971
- Vol. 4 – 1972
- Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – 1973
- Sabotage – 1975
- Technical Ecstasy – 1976
- Never Say Die! – 1978
- Heaven and Hell – 1980
- Mob Rules – 1981
- Born Again – 1983
- Seventh Star – 1986
- The Eternal Idol – 1987
- Headless Cross – 1989
- Tyr – 1990
- Dehumanizer – 1992
- Cross Purposes – 1994
- Forbidden – 1995
- 13 – 2013
In 1992, the singer announced his retirement but four years later created the beloved annual music festival Ozzfest with Sharon, which featured heavy metal acts touring the US and some of Europe.
Ozzy returned to Black Sabbath in 1999, with the band winning a Grammy for best metal performance for the song Iron Man.
They later earned the same award in 2013 after releasing single God Is Dead? from album 13.
In 2006, Ozzy and the rest of Black Sabbath were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A year later, the star released his first solo studio album in six years, Black Rain followed by Scream in 2010 and Ordinary Man in 2020.
Ozzy won another Grammy for Patient Number 9 in 2022 and single Degradation Rules, which featured Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.
But following a spate of nasty injuries, Ozzy was forced to cancel his upcoming tour after revealing he was "not physically capable" of the travel required.
He was later pictured looking frail as he walked in New York with the aid of a stick.
Ozzy suffered a spinal injury after an accident at his LA home in 2019 that required him to undergo surgery on his neck.
He was sadly diagnosed with Parkinson's the same year and revealed the sad news a year later in an emotional joint interview with Sharon.
Not content with being laid up in bed, Ozzy wowed fans with a surprise performance of Paranoid in his hometown Birmingham at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
And this year, he took to the stage for Black Sabbath's final-ever concert on July 5.
Ozzy arrived on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham dressed in his trademark black, sitting on a bat throne for the historic gig.
The crowd were delighted to see the iconic rocker back on stage, and kept chanting his name.
Ozzy was equally thrilled to be performing, and repeatedly broke out into a massive grin.
It was the first time in 20 years that the original Black Sabbath line-up have performed together.
On the night of his famous last gig, Ozzy opened up to the emotional crowd.
"I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years," he confessed.
"You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"You're all f****** special. Let's go crazy, come on."
He started the set by saying: "Let me hear you. Are you ready? Let the madness begin!"
Later, he said: "It's so good to be on this f****** stage. You have no idea.
"I f****** love you all. Let me see your hands in the air. You are the best, each and every one of you. God bless you all."
The rocker sang five songs in his own set, with fans waving torches from their phones during Mama, I'm Coming Home.
He finished his performance with Crazy Train, before confetti rained over a packed Villa Park.
After a short break, he re-entered the stage to join the rest of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years.
The band performed some of their greatest hits, ending with a rendition of Paranoid.
In his last ever interview, the heavy metal icon said his "final encore" meant "everything".
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