Ozzy Osbourne 'sad' Bill Ward isn’t part of Black Sabbath’s final shows

The heavy metal pioneers will bring their illustrious career to a close in the UK early next year and Ozzy says the only twinge of sadness he feels is that Bill Ward won’t be there.

Asked by Rolling Stone whether he’ll be forlorn when it’s all over for good, Ozzy replied: “Not really. Right now I'm having a blast. I suppose I may have a different head on when we do the last show. I'm sad that Bill never came through.”

Pressed as to whether there will be any chance Bill could be involved in the very final show in Birmingham, Ozzy added: “I don't know. Every time I reach out to Bill I get yelled at for something. If something can be worked out, great. Tommy (Clufetos) is doing a great job.”

Bill, of course, was present at Black Sabbath’s reformation in November 2011 but the following February left in somewhat acrimonious circumstances over a contract dispute.

After a string of disparaging and conflicting comments from both sides in the ensuing years over the contract and Bill’s health, Ozzy released a strongly-worded statement in April 2015 blasting Bill saying: “Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans.”

Although Bill says he “lost a friend” in Osbourne, he united with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler to pick up an Ivor Novello award in May 2015.

The final two nights in Birmingham on Black Sabbath’s The Beginning of the End Tour are completely sold out, however you can still get select tickets to the other dates from Planet Rock Tickets now.