Ozzy Osbourne “couldn’t be happier” after being awarded the Freedom of Birmingham.
The 76-year-old music star and his Black Sabbath bandmates are set to receive the honour, and Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife, has revealed that the iconic frontman really cherishes being recognised by his home city.
Sharon, 72 – who has been married to Ozzy since 1982 – told BBC Radio WM: “He couldn’t be happier right now – it’s come at a great time for him.”
Black Sabbath are seen as an important part of Birmingham’s cultural heritage, and Sharon has admitted that Ozzy remains very fond of the city.
She shared: “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 and Ozzy have lived in the US for decades, but the couple are eager to return home to the UK one day.
She said: “He’s dying to come home. 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.”
Meanwhile, Jim Simpson, the first manager of Black Sabbath, has hailed Ozzy as the “most famous Brummie of all time”.
Jim has also credited Black Sabbath for inspiring “eight or ten or 12 other forms of heavy rock”.
He said: “The impact of Sabbath is worldwide, it’s not just on this city.
“They single-handedly invented a style of heavy rock which in turn has inspired eight or ten or 12 other forms of heavy rock. Not many bands can claim to do that.
“Ask yourself who is the most famous Brummie of all time? I think it’s Ozzy.”