Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession through Birmingham took place today, a little over a week after the Black Sabbath singer died.
Mourners lined the streets to pay their respects to the self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness - one of Birmingham’s favourite sons.
The Black Sabbath singer died at the age of 76 on 22 July after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The funeral itself will be a private affair, attended only by his friends and family, but a hearse carrying Ozzy’s coffin traveled through central Birmingham at 1pm where adoring fans paid their final respects.
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Celebrities pay tribute
15:25 , Sean MartinThe news of Ozzy’s death sent shockwaves around the music world when his passing was announced.
Sir David Beckham, Sir Brian May, Sir Rod Stewart and Yungblud all paid homage to the Black Sabbath leader.
Sharon inconsolable as the Osbourne family inspected floral tributes
14:52 , Sean MartinSharon Osbourne, alongside hers and Ozzy’s children Aimee, Jack and Kelly, was inconsolable as she stepped out of the car during the procession.
Ozzy and Sharon, who were married for more than four decades, were known for their topsy turvy romance, but it was a relationship which worked for them.
Oasis paid tribute
14:46 , Sean MartinA whole host of celebrities have paid tribute to the ‘Prince of Darkness’ over the past week.
Oasis delivered a touching tribute at their Wembley show on Friday night, showing his image before Live Forever, before Liam Gallagher dedicated Rock ‘n’ Roll Star to the Black Sabbath front man.
Who is attending Ozzy's funeral?
14:17 , Sean MartinA whole host of famous faces are set to attend Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral.
The likes of Elton John, Yungblud and his Black Sabbath bandmates will be in attendance.
The celebrities will adorn the funeral alongside his children and his wife, Sharon.
Sharon Osbourne at the procession
13:52 , Nuray Bulbul
The procession in pictures
13:41 , Nuray Bulbul
Procession in Birmingham has now ended
13:36 , Nuray BulbulThe cortege has completed its journey through Birmingham, travelling down Broad Street and heading in the direction of Black Sabbath Bridge.
"Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" was chanted and cheered by thousands of fans as the hearse slowly went by.
The procession stopped briefly so that Ozzy's wife Sharon and children Kelly, Aimee, and Jack could see the memorials left for the heavy metal icon.
Members of the family will now have a private funeral.
Ozzy Osbourne's coffin surrounded with purple and white flowers
13:32 , Nuray BulbulFans caught a glimpse of Osbourne’s coffin inside a hearse with a touching floral wreath tribute spelling out his name 'Ozzy' in flowers.
A single bouquet of white flowers was also seen resting against the back of his coffin, and a purple floral tribute in the shape of a cross was placed on the top of the legendary singer's hearse.
Ozzy's family return to their cars as the hearse continues
13:22 , Nuray BulbulAs the hearse travels along Broad Street, there is a lot of cheering and more "Ozzy" chanting.
Alongside the metal legend's coffin, we can make out purple floral arrangement that spells "Ozzy."
Ozzy Osbourne's family take a look at tributes
13:16 , Nuray BulbulThe cortege has paused, and we can see Sharon, Ozzy Osbourne's wife, and other family members looking at the tributes left for the heavy metal icon.
Ahead of the funeral procession this afternoon, thousands of admirers have left messages and flowers in Birmingham.
Band plays Black Sabbath classic
13:14 , Nuray BulbulA band playing Black Sabbath songs is leading the procession as the hearse comes into view.
Funeral procession under way
13:07 , Nuray BulbulThe hearse of Ozzy Osbourne and its escorts have begun to move down Broad Street in the direction of Black Sabbath Bridge.
Crowds in Birmingham have been gathering throughout the morning as thousands of fans have lined the streets to pay their respects.
Thousands of fans chanting Ozzy Osbourne's name at Broad Street
13:03 , Nuray BulbulThousands of fans wearing Aston Villa jerseys, black wigs, and Black Sabbath merchandise are waiting along Broad Street.
A shout of “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy” erupts every few minutes, while speakers blast different Black Sabbath songs from speakers.
Funeral procession set to begin at 1pm
12:53 , Nuray BulbulCrowds have formed in the heart of Birmingham as Ozzy Osbourne fans gather in the streets to pay their respects.
The funeral procession is set to start in a couple of minutes.
Watch the procession live with The Standard
12:50 , Nuray BulbulIf you can’t attend the procession today, do not worry, The Standard are live streaming the event (above).
In pictures: Hundreds of fans at the procession
12:46 , Nuray Bulbul
Metallica band members will be attending Ozzy's funeral
12:44 , Nuray BulbulRob Trujillo confirmed he will be attending Osbourne’s private funeral along with his Metallica bandmates.
“It’s heartbreaking but we know Ozzy gave us everything he had in his final days.I’m so honored that Lars, James, Kirk, and I (Metallica) got to celebrate with him, to share our music and Sabbath’s music on such a special day in Birmingham. Being part of that meant so much to us.”
Motorhead pays tribute
12:40 , Nuray Bulbul“We lost our dear, dear friend today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and heavy metal, and a great guy too. Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together over the decades, and his loss is seismic. Rest peacefully Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you…”
What to expect from the procession
12:30 , Nuray BulbulAround 1pm, the heavy metal artist's hearse will head down Broad Street in the direction of the Black Sabbath Bridge.
His family will also be present.
Broad Street has been blocked to through traffic since 7am this morning. Buses and trams will be rerouted until the procession is over.
It is advised that visitors arrive early, take transportation that is available, and abide by the site's safety regulations, as stewards will be there to assist.
Ozzy Osbourne's final trip through Birmingham
12:15 , Nuray BulbulWith roughly an hour left until the procession thousands of fans gather to bid him farewell, as his cortege will make its way along Birmingham's Broad Street to the Black Sabbath Bridge.
Prior to a private funeral service, Osbourne's family, who have provided funding for the occasion, will also be present to witness all of the star's tributes.
The heavy metal icon passed away on July 22, at the age of 76, less than three weeks after rejoining his fellow Black Sabbath members on stage for Back To The Beginning, a "final bow" performance that featured Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and generated approximately £140 million for charitable causes.
Aerosmith pays tribute
11:53 , Nuray Bulbul“We're heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever. From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy.
“He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring. Our love goes out to Sharon, his family, his band, and the millions around the world who felt his fire. Rock on, Ozzy. You will be missed, but never forgotten!”
Google pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with Crazy Train graphic
11:44 , Nuray Bulbul
Google has paid a touching tribute to heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne.
If you type Ozzy Osbourne's name into the bar, a banner beginning with a train followed by a sign of the horns emoji started rolling across the screen.
The message reads: “Thanks for the mayhem, Prince of Darkness.”
Fans that can't attend can watch the procession live
11:40 , Nuray BulbulFor those not able to be in Birmingham today, the procession will be streamed live here.
In pictures: Fans pay tribute before funeral procession
11:35 , Nuray BulbulCrowds of fans have began to line the streets with flowers and notes.
Metallica's touching tribute
11:24 , Nuray BulbulMetallica have shared a lengthy and touching tribute to the late star.
“It's impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant.
We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.”
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath returns to the charts
11:14 , Nuray BulbulFollowing the star's passing last week, Ozzy Osbourne's solo songs and Black Sabbath's classics soared in the rankings.
According to the Official Charts Company, Black Sabbath's trademark song, Paranoid, which peaked at number four in 1970, made a comeback to the Top 40 on Friday, peaking at number 32 for the first time in almost 45 years.
The Ultimate Collection by Black Sabbath also made a comeback to the album chart, moving up 129 spots to number 22.
Hundreds of fans gathered at the barriers to show their support
11:06 , Nuray BulbulWith two hours until the procession starts, hundreds of fans have already gathered in the area, ready to pay their respects.
Ozzy Osbourne described as 'son of Birmingham' by Birmingham mayor
11:02 , Nuray BulbulThe Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal has described Ozzy Osbourne as a “son of Birmingham” and that “it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.”
He said: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.
“We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.”
Who is the band set to play alongside Ozzy's hearse?
10:57 , Nuray BulbulLater today, Ozzy Osbourne's funeral cortege will go down Birmingham's Broad Street to the music of the Bostin' Brass Band.
On their website, the band, which began as a marching band in Digbeth, referred to themselves as “Birmingham's very own second-line, jazz, funk, and ska soul stew.”
Fans to bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham funeral procession
10:53 , Nuray BulbulThe hearse carrying Ozzy Osbourne will make its way down Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench and bridge from around 1pm today.
His family members are expected to watch the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band.
The procession has been organised by the Birmingham City Council and the Osbourne family, who funded all of the associated costs.
You can read more the details here.
