Ozzy Osbourne still 'desperate' to return home to the UK, says Sharon

Sharon Osbourne says Ozzy is still ‘desperate’ to return to the UK and visit his home city of Birmingham.

Last week, Birmingham City Council announced they’re set to award all four founding members of Black Sabbath - Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward - the Freedom of the City of Birmingham.

The heavy metal torchbearers have previously been honoured in their home city with a star on the Broad Street Walk of Stars, individual stars in their own right, and a Black Sabbath Bench on Broad Street.

Ozzy has also had a tram and a giant mechanical bull at Birmingham’s New Street Station named after him.

In a new interview with BBC West Midlands about Ozzy being made a City Freeman, his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne said: "He couldn't be happier right now, it's come at a great time for him."

Asked what the city of Birmingham means to Ozzy, Sharon replied: "It's who Ozzy is, he's never ever been one of these people who when you get fame you try and pretend to be something you're not. He's just Ozzy from Brum.

"That's what he is and he's never tried to be anything else. He owes so much to Birmingham, it's his blood, that's who he is."

Sharon went on to say that Ozzy is still keen to return to live in the UK and visit his home city.

Ozzy previously told the Observer in 2022 that he and Sharon are permanently moving back to the UK after more than two decades in Los Angeles.

The BBC even commissioned a fly-on-the-wall series about the Osbournes’ return, however Ozzy’s ongoing health setbacks have stalled the move.

"He's dying to come home," Sharon told the BBC. "And that's what's been a bit tough.

"Each time we make arrangements to come, something happens that he can't do it, and he's desperate to come home."

Sharon previously revealed during her spoken word show Cut The Crap in January 2024 that Ozzy was hoping to play a farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park as a “goodbye” to fans.

The planned gig, which was expected to feature a Black Sabbath reunion, hasn’t yet come into fruition.

The nicknames of famous rock stars and bands:

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• Ozzy Osbourne
• Black Sabbath