Ozzy Osbourne thanks fans for their support after revealing Parkinson's diagnosis
Ozzy Osbourne has issued a short heartfelt statement to his fans thanking them for their support after he revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis yesterday (21st January).
Last updated 11th Mar 2020
In an interview with Good Morning America alongside his wife Sharon on Tuesday, Ozzy Osbourne said he was diagnosed with a “mild form” of Parkinson’s disease early last year at around the time he suffered a serious fall his bedroom.
Ozzy said in the highly emotional interview it had been extremely “hard” to hide the diagnosis from his loyal fans, saying: “You never feel proper. You feel guilty, y’know. I'm no good with secrets. I cannot walk around with it anymore because it's like I'm running out of excuses."
He added: "I feel better now I've owned up to the fact I've got Parkinson's. And I just hope (my fans) hang in there for me because I need them. I hope (they're not going to leave me). They're my air, y'know."
Ozzy took to Twitter last night to issue a short statement to his beloved fans, writing: “Thank you all so much for your well wishes. It means the absolute world to me. All my love, Ozzy.”
He also shared the lyrics for his Elton John collaboration ‘Ordinary Man’, which read:
I was unprepared for fame Then everybody knew my name No more lonely nights, it's all for you I have travelled many miles I've seen tears and I've seen smiles Just remember that it's all for you Don't forget me as the colours fade...
Appearing on her US chat show The Talk yesterday afternoon, Sharon Osbourne said Ozzy “will be just over the moon” with the outpouring of love from fans.
“He will be taken aback. I'm good. I feel very good. I feel very strong. People have been amazing with their outpouring of love for my husband, and I thank you,” Sharon said.
She continued: “Friends that we haven't spoken to in years have come out and supported Ozzy, and it makes me feel good. And to everyone, thank you.”
Sharon also vowed that Ozzy will return to the stage as soon as possible: “We're not going to stop until Ozzy is back out there, on that stage. It was what he was born to do.”
Ozzy’s No More Tours 2 is still scheduled to resume in Atlanta, Georgia on 27th May. The UK and Ireland leg with Judas Priest takes place in the autumn.
Despite his poor health, Ozzy recorded his twelfth studio album ‘Ordinary Man’ while recuperating from his fall last summer alongside producer Andrew Watt on guitars, Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) on bass and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums.
Released on Friday 21st February, ‘Ordinary Man’ features the Planet Rock playlisted anthem ‘Under The Graveyard’, the thunderous single ‘Straight To Hell’ featuring Slash, and Ozzy’s aforementioned Elton John collaboration ‘Ordinary Man’.