Ozzy Osbourne's bandmates and fans pay tribute: ‘You're forever in my heart'
The music superstar's death at the age of 76 was announced in a statement to the PA news agency saying he was 'with his family and surrounded by love'.
His Black Sabbath band mates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – led tributes to Osbourne alongside fans from his home city of Birmingham, where he had taken to the stage as part of a reunion concert just weeks earlier.
Black Sabbath co-founder Iommi said it was 'brilliant' to reunite with the band before Osbourne died, saying the singer 'really wanted' to perform together again and 'felt at home'.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock.'
On their reunion concert two weeks ago, Iommi said: 'It was brilliant to be with all the guys again… and it was brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, you know, he felt at home there and it was really good for him.
'It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final.'
Earlier this month, Osbourne took to the stage as part of the Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where the band was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members were the last to appear as part of the star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.
The band's bassist, Butler said he is 'so glad' the band reunited with Osbourne one final time as he paid tribute to his long-time bandmate and friend, reflecting on their final performance together.
'Thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston – who'd have thought, eh?' he captioned an Instagram post.
'So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.'
Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you're forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward pic.twitter.com/2HSaIZfkX2
— Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) July 22, 2025
Ward, Black Sabbath's drummer, posted a photo of himself and Osbourne on X, writing: 'Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls… no, you're forever in my heart.'
Fans left tributes thanking Osbourne for 'bringing Birmingham together' at the scene of a mural honouring the band in the city.
Dozens of bunches of flowers, candles and cards were left underneath Osbourne's picture on the Navigation Street mural.
One tribute said: 'There are no words, truly. Thank you for everything, for all the music, for the endless and timeless discography.
'You have touched millions, my whole life your music has played almost as if raising me.
'You've gave my family memories, a history of them, even recently at your last gig you bought us so much happiness, it's unreal.'
Another simply read: 'Thank you for bringing Birmingham together Ozzy.'
The producers and director of upcoming documentary Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, which began filming in early 2022 during the rocker's recording sessions for his 13th studio album, and is set to air on Paramount+ later this year, also paid tribute to Osbourne.
Directed by Bafta award-winner Tania Alexander, the documentary is being produced by UK production house Echo Velvet in partnership with the Osbournes and MTV Entertainment Studios, with Phil Alexander one of the executive producers.
A statement from Tania and Phil Alexander, on behalf of Echo Velvet, said: 'We are truly heartbroken to hear the news of Ozzy's passing.
'Filming with him, Sharon, Aimee, Kelly and Jack for the last three-and-a-half years will always be a cherished and remarkable experience – largely because we got to regularly witness Ozzy's indomitable spirit, his mischievous, irresistible grin and his masterful display of unique one-liners.'
Black Sabbath went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide, with hit songs including Paranoid, Changes and Iron Man.
The group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and Osbourne was added for a second time last year.
He rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon – whom he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly – through their MTV reality TV series The Osbournes.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, telling Good Morning America that it was discovered he had the neurodegenerative disorder after a fall.
He said: 'I did my last show New Year's Eve at The Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves and I found out that I have a mild form.'
He released his 12th studio album Ordinary Man in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022, which went to number three and two in the UK charts, respectively.
A family statement released on Tuesday night said: '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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cosmopolitan
23 minutes ago
- Cosmopolitan
Who was the girl with Prince William at the Euros ceremony?
Last night saw the England women's team land a nail-biting win against Spain in the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final – in part, down to a penalty scored by cool-as-a-cucumber forward, Chloe Kelly. As is custom thanks to his role as patron of the Football Association, Prince William was on hand to congratulate the Lionesses on their big win, and joined other senior figures to shake hands, hug and high five the top players and England's coach, Sarina Wiegman. But many eagle-eyed viewers were also curious about the young girl on William's left, wearing a white football-style jersey, who looked overjoyed to be meeting the players too (and no, we don't mean Princess Charlotte! Although she was also in attendance with her father last night too). Judging by her jersey, which reads UEFA Foundation for Children, it's believed that the mystery girl is one of the many young people who receives support from the organisation – and evidently, she's a huge football fan! So far, her name and story has been kept under wraps, but Cosmopolitan UK has reached out to the Foundation to ask if there's anything they're able to share about the girl who has been low-key stealing the limelight, thanks to her infectious enthusiasm. Elsewhere, the UEFA Foundation for Children is doing some pretty remarkable work, having helped to build or renovate 100 football pitches around Europe and beyond, has 128 projects ongoing and 577 total to date. A statement on its website explains, "The UEFA Foundation for Children was established on the initiative of the former UEFA president, Michel Platini, reflecting UEFA's desire to play a more active role in society and communities. "For many years, UEFA had been working with numerous partners to develop projects and programmes designed to help children living in difficult circumstances in Europe and beyond. "Keen to step up its activities and target them appropriately, UEFA decided to create an independent foundation that uses sport to support humanitarian projects promoting children's rights in the following areas: access to sport, personal development, healthy lifestyle, disabled children, conflict victims, gender equality, environmental protection, employability, infrastructure and equipment, and strengthening relationships." We'll be sure to update if the Foundation shares any more information about the girl who appeared on the pitch besides Prince William and her story. Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC's Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women's Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hosting tips we've learned from the royals
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If there's one thing the royals know how to do well, it's marking an occasion. From lavish gala dinners to ceremonies upholding centuries-old traditions, events attended by - as well as those organized by - the British Royal Family are usually an elaborate affair. With the Royal Family's lives very much in the public eye, we've managed to learn a few hosting tips along the way, from how to hold a teacup in public to, most recently, stylish presentation tips from Meghan Markle's Netflix documentary, With Love, Meghan. Here are hosting tips we've learned from the royals covering how to greet guests in a regal style at a dinner party, invitations, menus, and table manners. As well as some tips on how to elevate simple dishes and make welcome drinks feel personal and unique. In other words, everything you need to bear in mind while hosting a dinner party fit for royalty. During her hit Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, Meghan Markle (or Sussex, as she corrects one guest in the show) says one of the most important parts of hosting is to ensure guests have something to snack on as soon as they arrive. "Never let a guest arrive without something to feed them on the table," she advises viewers while explaining her love of crudités platters. Another of Meghan's clear priorities when she has guests round is to ensure she's seen to be on top of her housework, as well as her cooking skills. She says when awaiting an LA chef for dinner in an episode of With Love, Meghan, "I need to impress this man! Not just with my doughnuts - with my tidiness, with my kitchen savvy, my cleanliness." A quick cleaning session after each task makes cooking and baking a lot less of a messy job. Meghan explains in an episode of With Love, Meghan, "So, just as with cooking, I will always have like a garbage vessel. "Everything stays organised, clean as you go," Meghan explained. "Lili has made a song out of it," she said, before singing herself: "Clean as you go – clean, clean, clean, clean." Lady Elizabeth Anson, a royal party planner who has worked with the British Royal Family (and is a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II and a niece of the late Queen Mother), told the New York Times, "Lady Elizabeth uses high-end e-vite service Paperless Post. But clarified that wherever possible, it's best to send a physical invite and put some time and effort into it, as cheap invites make people "imagine there's going to be acidic wine and miserable food". Windsor and royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has previously revealed exactly how the royals drink their tea, according to reporting from Reader's Digest. "The royals love their tea time, so it's especially important that they hold their cups correctly," he explains. "You pinch the handle with your thumb and index finger, so they meet in the middle rather than looping through the handle. Every time you drink, you look into the cup to show control and make sure the tea doesn't go all over. Kate does this very well.' Fresh flowers will always instantly brighten up a dinner space. Meghan revealed in an episode of With Love, Meghan, "First thing I do is see what colour I gravitate to, and then everything goes from there. "Kind of think about it like an outfit, and once you pick the base look, you have to accessorise in a way that makes sense and matches." "The Duchess of Cambridge is known to be an excellent hostess," Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, told Woman's Day. "She loves to cook, host, and is known to personally serve her guests. "While she may love to throw a party, Catherine also must be the perfect guest, as she attends many parties annually, personally and professionally, and spends long weekends with the royal family or Christmas lunch as a guest of the Queen at the Sandringham Estate." "If you have nine guests, you should serve a selection of at least three foods," explains Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, when advising on royal hosting. "Include a vegetarian option, and make them small enough to eat in one bite. Serve with cocktail napkins and offer toothpicks for oily foods. (Nobody wants to shake hands with greasy fingers.)" Meghan's one-pot pasta dish had mixed reviews online after With Love, Meghan aired, but her guest and long-time friend, make-up artist Daniel, had only good things to say about this easy-to-prepare dish. "This is literally cosy," Daniel said in appreciation. Meghan explained to viewers how she often opts for a one-pot dinner to save on prep and washing up. This is something that Kate Middleton is thought to be extremely good at. "As the host, your job is to speak to and engage each of your guests, making sure everyone is happy, comfortable, and feels welcome," says Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette. One of Meghan's dinner party tricks was to personalise her margaritas according to her guests' likes and dislikes. In With Love, Meghan, she made a margarita base and then different syrups for each guest, including a spicy mix for those who like a little heat with their cocktail. Personalized labels also add a thoughtful touch. "When it comes to banquets, all the menus are traditionally written in French, even if they're describing English dishes; that's just the way it's done," Tom Parker Bowles told Harper's Bazaar. "Happily, the Queen speaks flawless French, and she has the most incredible memory, so she remembers what every single guest likes and doesn't like." Make sure you're clear on what you're serving guests and feeling organised before a dinner party, if you want to host like a royal. 'She's [Queen Elizabeth II] intricately involved in what's on each menu, which is important if you're hosting the president of France or Japan,' Tom Parker Bowles told Harper's Bazaar. In With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, focuses on presentation a lot, using simple adjustments to make her dishes look more attractive. For example, on her crudité platter, she artfully arranges peas still in their pods, prompting her guest to say, "Why doesn't anyone ever present peas like this?!" There's no need to overcomplicate things. "A party with good table wine and good pasta or good sausages and mash can be just as much of a success as one with Krug, caviar, oysters and lobster,' party planner Lady Elizabeth told the New York Times. 'It's not about expensive ingredients. It's about people." "Typically, ' the Duchess Slant' is used when a lady has to sit for an extended amount of time while keeping poise and posture," says Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette. This is seen as a more elegant way to sit on a sofa or chair, perhaps during a drinks reception before dinner, and you'll notice it's a familiar posture for all the royal women. Holding a glass by its stem rather than the bottom will prevent heating the liquid, and you'll often see the royals adhering to this rule. When serving, remember that wine should typically be poured only to just below the widest part of the glass, according to traditional rules of etiquette. Another thing we learned from With Love, Meghan is that the Duchess really likes edible flowers - she sprinkles them everywhere. While the merits of doing so on one's own breakfast may be more questionable, when it comes to a finishing touch for a dessert on a fruity cocktail, they look stylish and sweet, particularly in the summer months. Dehydrated fruits were also popular with the Duchess during the first season of With Love, Meghan. This timeless garnish will instantly elevate a drink and can be easily made at home using an air fryer or by slowly heating slices in the oven on a low setting. Try lemon, lime, grapefruit or orange, depending on the notes in the cocktail. This is a big one for the Royal Family - they're always extremely discreet. When royals need to use the restroom, they won't announce the details and instead will excuse themselves quietly. 'When they get up, they cross their knife and fork so waitstaff know they'll continue to eat when they come back,' royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams explains regarding how the royals break away from the table at a dinner event. Windsor and royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams advises a modest dress code if you want to make like a royal at a dinner party. "The outfit has to be modest, elegant, and appropriate for the occasion, and it should never distract from the royal's role or risk causing a scandal or public debate,' he told Reader's Digest. A firm, assertive handshake is typical among members of the Royal Family. 'The handshake should be firm. The thumb goes up, the fingers [go] together, shake for two pumps," advises royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams when it comes to greeting guests. Another fun presentation hack picked up from With Love, Meghan, is creating signature ice cubes with flowers or fruit. However, she advises against using tap water. "I've made this mistake. Do not just use tap water," she said. "Otherwise, the ice cubes just come out a little cloudy, and you want to see the flower." A royal bathroom will be well thought out, but it won't have candles or reed diffusers, Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette, explains. "The Duchess [Catherine] will also probably have lightly scented soap and paired hand cream. Many upper-class British homes prefer bar soap to liquid, so the Duchess may use that in her private quarters." Food writer and critic (and the Duchess of Cornwall's son!) Tom Parker Bowles previously told Harper's Bazaar, "Everything I've learnt about the Queen's preferences is from Mark Flanagan, the personal chef to the Queen. She likes seasonal ingredients - asparagus, lamb - and food from the estate, such as grouse or venison from Balmoral. 'She'll have pheasants from Sandringham (in season from October to February), and she even has her own cheese made using milk from the cows at the royal dairy in Windsor.' A cake makes a beautiful centre piece if having guests over for a special occasion, and according to Meghan Markle in With Love, Meghan, a naked cake is best. While baking in the Netflix show, she said about the cake she's made: "There's something really satisfying about a cake that is bare on the outside but she is so beautiful on the inside and you just don't know how good she is until you go deep and you get to know her better." Duchess Meghan loves a fruit or veggie platter. "We have a veggie platter, crudites, every day in our house,' she said in the Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. "Even for our kids, I think what's been so nice and why they love eating vegetables is because it looks colourful and fun." Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Phil Collins recovering in hospital
Phil Collins is recovering from knee surgery. The 74-year-old musician - who admitted earlier this year that he is "very sick" - was the subject of online rumours last week that he was receiving hospice care, but his representative his confirmed to The Independent that is not the case. Instead, the former Genesis frontman is currently in hospital recuperating after having an operation on his knee. Phil - who has type 2 diabetes and ongoing complications from a 2007 spinal surgery which means he can "barely" hold a drumstick properly anymore - admitted earlier this year his health issues have meant he is no longer interested in playing music. He told MOJO magazine: 'I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I'm not hungry for it anymore. 'The thing is, I've been sick, I mean very sick.' The In the Air Tonight hitmaker would love to be able to drum again one day, but he devastatingly believes he's 'used up my air miles'. Speaking in the Phil Collins: Drummer First documentary, he said: 'It's still kind of sinking in a bit… I've spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.' Phil picked up his first set of drumsticks aged five and he says the laborious playing has 'taken its toll' on his hands and legs. He added about his decision to retire: 'If I can't do what I did as well as I did it, I'd rather relax and not do anything. 'If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks then I'll have a crack at it. 'But I just feel like I've used up my air miles.' Phil has suffered for a long time with poor health since he injured a vertebrae in his upper neck while performing in 2009. Two years later, he stepped back from performing due to crippling nerve damage, which rendered him unable to play the drums, before returning in 2015. Promoting Genesis' reunion shows, he previously said: 'I'm kind of physically challenged a bit which is very frustrating because I'd love to be playing up there with my son.'
