Birmingham’s heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, just weeks after performing a farewell concert with Black Sabbath. His family confirmed he passed away surrounded by loved ones.

Heavy metal star Ozzy Osbourne has died, just weeks after reuniting with his Black Sabbath bandmates and performing a huge farewell concert for fans.

In a statement, his family 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."

Ozzy played his final gig at Villa Park with Black Sabbath just three weeks ago, performing from a throne on stage at the Aston Villa stadium, which is just down the road from where he was born in Birmingham.

Ozzy is Birmingham’s most famous musician. The Prince of Darkness was known around the world for being the lead singer of legendary heavy metal pioneers Sabbath.

Birmingham is widely considered the birthplace of heavy metal, thanks to Sabbath, with the band often credited as a key pioneer of the genre.

placeholder image — Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath

The War Pigs and Paranoid singer also embarked on a successful solo career post Sabbath, helping to put Birmingham on the map long before Peaky Blinders became a global phenomenon.

Ozzy grew up at 14 Lodge Road in Aston with his parents John and Lillian and his three older sisters named Jean, Iris, and Gillian, and two younger brothers named Paul and Tony.