'I'm English, I want to die in England': Ozzy Osbourne & Sharon reveal why they never moved back to Birmingham
Ozzy and Sharon moved back to the UK in recent months
It’s been reported that Ozzy Osbourne spent his final months filming a BBC One docuseries on his family back to the UK.
The film was tragically never finished, with Ozzy’s family confirming his death at the age of 76 on Tuesday, July 22.
Ozzy, a native of Aston of course, and Sharon had spent much of the past twenty years residing in Los Angeles after their careers took off in the US.
However, they confessed two years ago that they were contemplating a return to the UK, before bidding farewell to America once and for all ahead of the final Black Sbbath gig in Ozzy’s hometown a few months ago.
The Osbournes moved back to their Buckinghamshire estate in the UK in March, with Sabbath’s final gig taking place less than three weeks ago on July 5.
On an episode of their podcast, “The Osbourne's Podcast”, in 2024, Sharon disclosed that Ozzy’s health complications were the primary reason they hadn’t moved back to the UK sooner.
“It just seems that every time we’re set to go, something happens with Ozzy’s health’,” she said. Immediately after, she reassured, “We’ll get there. We want to go back so bad, but we’ll get there. Won’t we, Ozzy?”
Ozzy responded affirmatively, “Yeah, we will.” Ozzy further stated his desire to not meet his end in America, “I don’t want to die in America,” he said. “I don’t want to be buried in f***ing Forest Lawn. I’m English. I want to be back. It’s just time for me to come home.”
Tributes
Since the announcement of his death, tributes have poured in for the Birmingham rock legend.
His fellow Black Sabbath bandmates posted a photo of Ozzy Osbourne with the message, ‘Ozzy Forever’
Elton John posted a photo of the two on Instagram and wrote: ‘So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne passing away.He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.’
His Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi wrote on Instagram: “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz.”