Bill Ward Debate Rumbles On

Black Sabbathfrontman Ozzy Osbourne says original drummer Bill Ward was not in shape for the band’s reunion album or tour, despite the fact that he declined to participate over a contractual dispute.

"I don’t think he could have done the gig, to be honest,” Ozzy tells theNew York Daily News. "He’s incredibly overweight. A drummer has to be in shape. He’s already had two heart attacks. I don’t want to be responsible for his life.”

Still, the singer says "the door is always open” for Ward to return and admits that without him "it’s not the same.”

Ozzy’s remarks come less than a week after Ward reaffirmed his reasons for passing on the band’s "13” album and tour.