Sharon Osbourne paid a touching tribute to her late husband Ozzy as she led his emotional funeral procession on Wednesday.
The Black Sabbath rocker died aged 76 on July 22 and his funeral cortege travelled through his hometown of Birmingham on Wednesday.
His grief-stricken wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis led the parade and stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge to an outpouring of love from the crowd.
Sharon, 72, paid a subtle tribute to her late husband during the ceremony as she wore Ozzy’s ring around her neck.
She was seen wearing the recognisable gold ring featuring a row of diamonds around her neck on a chain.
The distinctive piece of jewellery is believed to be Ozzy’s wedding band, and he has been seen wearing it on his ring finger in recent years.
Sharon Osbourne paid a touching tribute to her late husband Ozzy as she led his emotional funeral procession on Wednesday
Sharon, 72, paid a subtle tribute to her late husband during the ceremony as she wore Ozzy’s ring around her neck
The Black Sabbath rocker died aged 76 on July 22 and his funeral cortege travelled through his hometown of Birmingham on Wednesday
According to reports, Ozzy has been wearing the ring since their 2017 vow renewal – which took place 35 years after they originally tied the knot.
During the funeral, Sharon also held her hands up and gave a double peace sign – a gesture which has become synonymous with the metal star.
Ozzy previously explained the significance behind the gesture, telling Rolling Stone in 2002: ‘We were the last hippie band. We were into peace.’
Sharon wasn’t the only member of the Osbourne clan to subtly pay tribute to Ozzy as his kids also all wore heartfelt items which directly referenced their beloved father.
Ozzy’s son Louis – from his first marriage to Thelma Riley – wore a purple tie featuring a skull and crossbones in a nod to his father’s own rock n’ roll style.
Kelly, 40, also remembered her father by wearing his iconic sunglasses, with the Prince of Darkness becoming synonymous with round shades over the years.
In another poignant clothing choice, Jack, 39, also wore a small silver cross pin on the end of his tie – a reference to Ozzy’s signature pendant.
Lastly, Aimee, 41, also pinned a bat brooch to her blazer as she joined her family in paying reference to Ozzy’s iconic career.
Sharon was seen wearing a gold ring featuring a row of diamonds around her neck on a chain, which is believed to be Ozzy’s wedding ring (right)
During the funeral, Sharon also held her hands up and gave a double peace sign – a gesture which has become synonymous with the metal star
Ozzy (pictured in 2002) previously explained the significance behind his liking for the peace gesture, telling Rolling Stone in 2002: ‘We were the last hippie band. We were into peace’
Ozzy’s son Louis – from his first marriage to Thelma Riley – (pictured with sister Aimee) also wore a purple tie featuring a skull and crossbones in a nod to his father’s own rock n’ roll style
One of Ozzy’s most famous moments was when he bit the head off a bat live on stage, with the metal star even performing on a bat throne at his farewell show at Villa Park just weeks before his death.
Huge crowds descended on Birmingham on Wednesday to pay tribute to the beloved Prince of Darkness at his funeral procession.
The funeral cortege was led by a live brass band, Bostin’ Brass, who performed versions of Black Sabbath songs such as Iron Man, as thousands of tearful devotees lined the streets and sang along in Ozzy’s memory.
The hearse carrying the singer’s coffin – adorned with purple flowers spelling out ‘Ozzy’ – passed the star’s childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, shortly after midday.
Flowers had been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, while the owners of the house put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window.
Sharon led the procession with her children Jack, Aimee and Kelly and Ozzy’s son Louis from his first marriage as they comforted each other amid their devastating grief.
Thousands of people were pictured taking their places not only on Black Sabbath Bridge but along the city centre route along which his cortege travelled towards the Black Sabbath Bridge bench.
Fans clapped and cheered chanting ‘Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy’ as the rock legend’s hearse passed through the streets of Birmingham as Sharon watched on and brushed away tears.
Kelly, 40, also remembered her father by wearing his iconic sunglasses, with the Prince of Darkness becoming synonymous with round shades over the years
In another poignant clothing choice, Jack, 39, also wore a small silver cross pin on the end of his tie – a reference to Ozzy’s signature pendant
Lastly, Aimee, 41, also pinned a bat brooch to her blazer as she joined her family in paying reference to Ozzy’s iconic career
Describing Ozzy as a ‘working class hero’ who loved his city, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham said: ‘I got to know him in the last few weeks when we gave him the freedom of the city and he was just so humble, so down to earth. He was a working class hero.
‘I couldn’t tell he was a rock star, he was just an ordinary guy, so caring. He had working class roots and his loved his fans, he loved his city, he always promoted Birmingham wherever he went, he was proud to have been born in Aston.
‘His slogan was “Birmingham Forever” and that makes me such a proud citizen. It was a last hurrah for him today.’
Ozzy and his Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people’s exceptional service to the city.
Ozzy is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.
In a statement shared last Tuesday, Ozzy’s family said he died ‘surrounded by love’, adding: ‘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.’
Ozzy took to the stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park stadium in his native Birmingham less than three weeks before his death – reuniting with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005.
More than 42,000 fans packed into the venue for the Back To The Beginning show, during which he told the crowd in his final speech: ‘You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
His grief-stricken wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis led the parade and stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge to an outpouring of love
Huge crowds descended on Birmingham on Wednesday to pay tribute to the beloved Prince of Darkness at his funeral procession
The hearse carrying the singer’s coffin was adorned with purple flowers spelling out ‘Ozzy’
Fans clapped and cheered chanting ‘Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy’ as the rock legend’s hearse passed through the streets of Birmingham as Sharon watched on and brushed away tears
A message on screen then read: ‘Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever,’ before the sky lit up with fireworks.
He had told of it being his last performance due to his health, having opened up about his battle with Parkinson’s in 2020.
The musician had undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in 2023, and had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2003.
Before his final show, Ozzy said he hoped to continue recording music after retiring from live performing, but he heartbreakingly died before he was able to do so.
Ozzy’s last solo album, 2022’s Patient Number 9, featured a long list of guest artists, including hid Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Zakk Wylde, and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, among others.
