Thousands sign petition to get Ozzy Osbourne a knighthood after his Birmingham 2022 performance

Thousands of people have signed a petiton aimed at getting Birmingham-born rocker Ozzy Osbourne a knigthood.

The petition has been launched by Black Sabbath fan Helen Maidiotis, who lives in Sydney, Australia. So far the Change.org campaign has more than 34,000 signatures, and once it reaches 35,000 it will become one of the most signed petitions on the website.

Ozzy gave a powerful performance at the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on Monday evening (8 August). The 73 year-old Aston-born icon put on a stellar show, despite suffering serious health issues in recent years, but he says he is now on the mend and is even planning a UK tour next year.

Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Helen revealed why she believes Ozzy deserves a knighthood, pointing out that while Ozzy has a tram in Birmingham named after him - that just isn’t enough!

She said: “I started the petition as part of my ongoing campaign to have Ozzy knighted.

“For the last decade since Sabbath announced their reunion back in 2011, it has been my dream for them to all receive a knighthood but the UK cabinet said it wouldn’t be possible for all four and to concentrate on one member.

“So I chose Ozzy as he is the face and voice of Sabbath, and most well known out of the band. I have put forward his nomination along with support letters. The many petitions over the years are just a way of showing the cabinet the worldwide support he has for his nomination.”

MPs call for Ozzy knighthood

Birmingham’s MPs are also calling for Ozzy to be knighted. Writing to the Queen, Khalid Mahmood, Preet Gill, Gary Sambrook, Andrew Mitchell, Jess Phillips, Liam Byrne an Shabana Mahmood have all called for Ozzy to receive his accolade

Posting on Twitter, Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood, said:”I am humbly requesting Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II @RoyalFamily to bestow and honour to @BlackSabbath for their services to music. There will be a public release on 12th August 2022 at 1pm at Black Sabbath Bench, Broad Street.”

Why does Ozzy deserve the accolade?

“For five decades Mr Osbourne has entertained the world with his music,” said Helen. “He has worked tirelessly in bringing us the very best in entertainment from the days as the original front man for Black Sabbath in 1968, till the present day with his endless stamina, drive and commitment in the music business.

“From the days growing up in a large family in industrial Birmingham, he has never forgotten his roots and always speaks proudly of his motherland, he resides in his Buckinghamshire estate whenever he’s in the UK and makes every effort to visit the charities that he’s involved in as well as paying a visit to the wounded soldiers at Headley Court.

“He has won countless awards and accolades. He was the first to receive a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars in Broad street, and he was also honoured with a star along Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“He had been asked by Buckingham Palace to play for them on two occasions - The Queen’s Jubilee and at The Royal Variety Performance. Ozzy’s name is synonymous in the entertainment industry from the very young to the older generation.”

To sign the petition to get Ozzy his knighthood, visit the website, here!

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