Fans at Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession 'ease Sharon's pain' with touching gesture
An attendee at Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession today noticed how fans were keen to show respect to his wife Sharon and were 'understanding' of the 'gift' that she gave them.
Daily Mirror Showbiz writer Mia O'Hare praised the understanding attitude that fans had during the procession in Birmingham that was paid for by Sharon.
Mia said: "Sharon had even paid for today's procession to take place as it was clear she understood just what it would mean to both Ozzy and his fans.
"Her generous parting gift proves the deep love she has for her late husband and how she wishes to share that with the world.
"And the fans were very understanding with that gift as they did everything they could to try ease the family's pain.
"Through chants of 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy' 'we love you Sharon' and 'we love you Osbournes, we do' to pubs blasting out Ozzy's poignant hit Changes, they tried to do everything they could to show them they are with them in their grief."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The procession led by Sharon alongside Ozzy's children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis, passed by Black Sabbath Bridge that had been filled with tributes over the past week.
The funeral itself was private and attended only by close friends and family.
Following the procession Mia said: "While I expected it to be a sombre and quiet occasion, there was also celebration and joy in the air.
"It was one last chance to show Ozzy just what he means to so many people from all walks of life, with joy, humour and a dashing of rock n roll - I'm certain the Prince of Darkness would have approved."
The rock legend passed away on July 22 "surrounded by love" at the age of 76, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, although no cause of death has been confirmed.
The news came just two weeks after his final show at Birmingham's Villa Park, where he performed for the last time alongside his Black Sabbath bandmates at the Back to the Beginning benefit gig.
A statement from his family, including wife Sharon, 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
Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Kelly Osbourne's poignant message about why dad Ozzy Osbourne was so important
Kelly Osbourne took to social media to share a message hours before the intimate funeral of her dad, the Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne Kelly Osbourne has shared a touching speech showcasing why her dad, legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, was so important. The Black Sabbath frontman died last week aged 76, leaving the world of music in mourning. Now, a day after his final journey through his beloved Birmingham he has been laid to rest. And daughter Kelly, 40, took to social media hours before the intimate funeral to share a sweet message saying how the Prince of Darkness was helping to unite the world. Kelly shared a reel to her Instagram Stories that was initially posted by a fan. It comes after thousands lined the streets on Wednesday and chanted for the star in support of his heartbroken family. The poster could be heard saying in the clip, which was posted shortly after the star's death: "Do you know why Ozzy was so important? Look at your feed right now. "Look at the fact that for the last 24 hours there's been no politics, it's been no left or right. It's been no them versus us, it's been all of us collectively celebrating the life of a man that meant so much to us and the politics are null and void right now." The message continued: "This is one of the most tragic things for a lot of us to experience but the one good take away from it is that it has united all of us under the banner of Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and heavy metal and what Ozzy meant to all of us. Take a moment to think about that." The post comes with Kelly still staying silent following her dad's death, and instead resharing several messages that mean something to her. At the Birmingham procession she also gave a subtle nod to her dad with her choice of outfit accessories. With her blonde hair tied back, Kelly was seen wearing circular sunglasses that Ozzy had become synonymous with in recent years. His wife of over 40 years, Sharon Osbourne, was also in tears at the emotional farewell as the procession headed down Birmingham's Broad Street. Ozzy was followed by his family - including wife Sharon - in the special procession that was accompanied by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass. In moving scenes, the procession stopped outside the Black Sabbath bridge, where the frontman's wife and children stepped out of their cars to lay down roses wrapped in black paper among the sea of tributes left by fans. And on Thursday, the intimate private ceremony in Buckinghamshire at a private service attended by his close family and friends. While the funeral was kept strictly for friends and family only, cars were seen emerging from the property where Ozzy's funeral took place after the ceremony was over. The funeral was held at the family's 250 acre estate, with Ozzy being buried next to the ground's ornamental lake, according to his wishes.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Marilyn Manson & Slipknot lead who's who of rock at Ozzy Osbourne's funeral as family & friends say their final goodbye
MARILYN Manson, Metallica's James Hetfield and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor were among the who's who of rock at Ozzy Osbourne's funeral today. The Black Sabbath legend, 76, was laid to rest next to the lake at his family's Buckinghamshire home. 6 Zakk Wylde and Marilyn Manson attended the funeral today Credit: Splash 6 Zakk Wylde was among the rock royalty who joined the Osbournes Credit: Splash 6 They were seen leaving blacked out cars Credit: Splash A wreath, which read: 'Ozzy f***ing Osbourne,' was placed by the bank of the water. 110 of Ozzy's nearest and dearest joined his wife Sharon and his children Jack, 39, Kelly, 40, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, who is Ozzy's son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, for the service. Stars including Ozzy's Black Sabbath bandmates, Hetfield, punk singer Yungblud and Sir Elton John were all at the service to say goodbye. Rock icon Manson was also among the mourners who attended, after flying in from the US, along with Ozzy's guitarist Zakk Wylde and Taylor. The road leading to Ozzy and Sharon's home, close to Gerrards Cross, was closed from 1pm. Guests were sent a simple black invitation with a picture of a cross that read: 'In loving memory of Ozzy Osbourne.' Mourners were transported from The Crowne Plaza and The Bull in Gerrards Cross to the house at 2pm, with the service starting at 3pm. Security teams were also in place to ensure the safety of those attending. Tents were erected in the 250-acre grounds of the house, which Ozzy and Sharon bought back in 1993, along with a stage where tributes were paid to Ozzy. A friend said: 'Everyone at the service just wanted to support Sharon and the kids, it has been an awful time. Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together 'Toasts were raised, memories were shared - it was a very fitting goodbye. 'Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home and he is buried at a beautiful point on the lake. 'As well as the 'Ozzy f***ing Osbourne' wreath, which made people smile, there was another floral tribute which spelt out 'Ozzy' that was placed by the fountain on the lake. 'There was a stage where people including Yungblud, who grew very close to Ozzy in recent years, were set to pay tribute to him. 'The day was incredibly emotional. Pictures of Ozzy were dotted throughout the house and a photograph of him was given to everyone who attended to take home with them.' Today, fans gathered in Birmingham again, at the Black Sabbath bridge and at the Black Sabbath bench, as Ozzy was laid to rest. In London, the Coldstream Guards performed Black Sabbath's 1970 hit Paranoid outside of Buckingham Palace as a tribute to the rocker - who died last Tuesday aged 76. 6 Sharon read tributes alongside daughter Kelly yesterday Credit: i-Images 6 The family carried purple flowers wrapped in black paper to lay for Ozzy Credit: i-Images
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Sharon Osbourne revealed her darkest secrets to me over beer at LA mansion… including tragic sacrifice she made for Ozzy
"BIRTHS, booze, drugs, bike accidents, cancer, burglary, you name it and we've got through it,' Sharon Osbourne told me candidly at her glamorous Hollywood home with Ozzy. But amongst such turmoil, she could still pick out one memory that haunted her more than any other and led to a deep, traumatic schism for over two decades. 9 9 9 Consumed by grief, a pale and weeping Sharon yesterday laid a single pink rose on Birmingham's Black Sabbath Bridge as the funeral cortege waited. It was emotionally fraught to watch this determined and resolute woman engulfed by such all-encompassing sorrow. As she was helped back towards her black limo at Wednesday's funeral procession, she flashed the peace sign - husband Ozzy's trademark gesture. Having interviewed Sharon at the family's Beverly Hills mansion, I had witnessed first hand their enduring love. Back in 2005, Sharon invited me into their sumptuous Los Angeles home - where MTV reality show The Osbournes was filmed - to talk about her autobiography called Extreme. Ozzy - knowing it was his wife's gig - ambled around making fruit drinks for us then watched on from a polite distance. But he couldn't help interjecting with one-liners. Make no mistake, this was a double act. One Sharon - with a supreme, sharp-elbowed talent for showbiz management - had forged. When she first started working with Ozzy in 1979 he was a washed up, drug-addled, alcoholic headbanger who'd been sacked as lead singer of heavy metal giants Black Sabbath. When I interviewed Ozzy three years earlier at their Buckinghamshire home, he'd admitted: 'I'd have beer for breakfast and work me way up. 'I would down four bottles of brandy a day, plus beer, wine, cocaine, pills and pot.' Tearful Sharon Osbourne reads fans' touching tributes to beloved husband Ozzy as she joins family at funeral procession Yet Sharon, 72, saw something in the wildman when most others thought he was an unsalvageable wreck. "When I first met my husband, I knew instantly that for the first time in my life, I was in love," she would later say on her chat show The Talk. "He was so funny and quick-witted and yet very vulnerable. And I just thought he was the funniest, sweetest guy I'd ever met." Marriage sacrifice It would lead to marriage, three kids - and an almighty fall out with her father - self-anointed Godfather of Rock Don Arden, who was Sabbath's manager. When Sharon married Ozzy, bruiser Don - real name Harry Levy - gave her his contract as a wedding present. 9 9 Repacking the frontman from dated '70s rock dinosaur to 80's Prince of Darkness, Sharon switched Ozzy from her dad's Jet Records and signed him up to a much bigger US company. It caused a rift with her father that would last more than 20 years before they patched it up. Back in 2005, Sharon told me with sadness in her voice: 'Don has never said he's proud of me. That hurts.' Dark presence Don - who died aged 81 in 2007 - had been a dark presence in her childhood that left deep psychological scars. 'There was nothing unusual in seeing my dad threatening someone or brandishing a firearm,' she said in a TV interview. "My father really had a temper. He had a voice which could echo through the entire house. "A couple of times, he would whack me and he used to yank my hair. But I wouldn't say I was abused and beaten. In those days it was the normal thing." In adulthood Sharon had struggled with bulimia, telling me: 'Some people do drink and drugs but for me it's food, food, food. It's about having low self-esteem. 'I went through a stage where I loved my husband. I loved my kids, I had a great career and thought, 'What the f*** does it matter what I look like? Have another pint of ice cream, you deserve it'. 'But I was kidding myself. I wasn't well. I was so fat I couldn't get up the stairs. My son Jack used to have to push me up with one hand on each arse cheek while I yanked myself up with the rail. "I literally had to lift the rolls of fat off my belly to wash under it, that's how fat I was. How bad is that? Ozzy loved me as I was but I didn't." 9 9 At 5ft 2ins, Sharon would weigh 16st at her heaviest before having her stomach stapled and losing half her body weight. Then The Osbournes reality show - peppered with four-letter outbursts and family rows - turned her into a superstar in her own right. Her own US chat show and a stint as an X Factor judge followed. Toughest challenges In the meantime this indomitable woman survived colon cancer, having surgery the day before her 2002 20th wedding anniversary, followed by chemotherapy. That year Ozzy admitted to me that Sharon had been his saviour: "I have a great wife and five of the most beautiful kids in the world. Without my wife I would be long dead.' 9 9 During my interview with Sharon three years later she was amazingly candid and witty. As photographer Dave Hogan packed away his camera gear and I put away my notepad, Ozzy piped up: 'Fancy a beer?' Most celebrities can't get rid of journalists quick enough but Ozzy and Sharon were eager to chew the fat. Alcoholic Ozzy produced a four-pack from the fridge, and handed me one while sticking to soft drinks himself. I eagerly asked him about heavy rock yet he explained his real love was The Beatles. As welcoming and down-to-earth a couple as you could wish to meet, Ozzy and Sharon were eager to hear about gossip from Britain. They were a hilarious double act and the fierce love between them was evident. That Ozzy became a national treasure was largely Sharon's doing. Now he's gone the Osbourne matriarch will do everything in her power to maintain her husband's legacy and be strong for their three children.
