The name Birmingham picked for the Commonwealth Games Bull

Thousands of people voted to pick the official name for the Brummie Bull aka the Raging Bull star from the Commonwealth Games before it goes to its permanent home at Birmingham New Street station this summer.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Network Rail had urged Brummies to pick a name between the four shortlisted monikers - Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin and Boulton. And Andy Street announced today (Thursday, June 22) that the results of the vote are in after more than 28,000 people voted and 70% chose the same name.

Mayor Andy Street said on Twitter: “THANK YOU to everyone who voted. We finally have a name for the Bull that we all fell in love with at last year’s Commonwealth Games. He’ll be back in New Street before we know it.”

The last day to respond was on June 20 and Brummies have made a clear choice - with Ozzy being the name selected by most of the voters. The huge animatronic Bull - which was used for the opening act at the Commonwealth Games 2022 - will now be called Ozzy.

Brummie rock legend Ozzy Osbourne who made a thrilling surprise appearance with his band Black Sabbath at the Closing Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games told BBC News Midlands that he is “blown away” and is “thrilled to bits”. Ozzy Osbourne, who lives in California, had himself urged people to vote for the name Ozzy and he retweeted the call from the mayor and Network Rail - urging people to vote for a name. And, the vote turned out to be in his favour with Brummies using this opportunity to show more love to the rockstar - who has made the city proud with his success and artistry.

The animatronic model - built by special effects firm Artem - is expected to have a grand unveiling before the first anniversary of the Games. After spending some time underneath a tarpaulin in a car park, then going into storage over winter, this February Network Rail announced it could provide the perfect home for the big beast, pride of place inside Birmingham New Street station to be admired by thousands of passengers every day

What did Network Rail say

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail, said:“Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to at first send in their name suggestions and then vote for their favourite in final four – it truly shows how much affection people have for this star of the Commonwealth Games.

“It also proves to us how much of an honour it is for Network Rail to be the custodian of Ozzy the bull, and for New Street station to be its home. I can’t wait for it to be unveiled on the station concourse in time for the first anniversary of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

What Andy Street said

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “So the public have had their say on what we should name the Bull and they couldn’t have made a clearer choice. Ozzy won by a resounding margin with a whopping 70% after more than 28,000 votes were cast.

“Like people right across our region, I cannot wait to see Ozzy take pride of place in New Street Station in a triumphant homecoming this summer – proudly bearing the name of the Prince of Darkness himself!

“My huge thanks once again to Network Rail for bringing the Bull home to Birmingham. The iconic symbol of the 2022 Commonwealth Games is back where it belongs.”

How Brummies reacted to the new name for the Bull

Brummies responded to the name and one person said: “Just need @OzzyOsbourne on top when Ozzy bull is ready to see the world.”

Another added: “Just glad it ent bostin.” One person responded saying: “It had to be Ozzy. Now if there was anyway you could get the actually Ozzy down to officially reveal’ the bull that would be great!”