Sharon Osbourne emotional as family look at Ozzy Osbourne tributes in Birmingham
By Hannah Roberts, PA Entertainment Reporter
Sharon Osbourne was visibly emotional as fans shouted “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy” during a procession through the streets of Birmingham in honour of the heavy metal star.
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday.
His wife, former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, could be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, after she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench where floral tributes have been laid.
Joining her at the event were their three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly.
The hearse carrying Ozzy’s coffin passed the star’s childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre.
Flowers have been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, while the owners of the house have put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window.
The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street on Lodge Road, watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house.
The procession then made its way down Broad Street before stopping at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left.
One Osbourne fan, called Goose, told the PA news agency that Osbourne “was a family member” and 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.”
Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham.
She told PA: “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.”
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.”
