Tributes have poured in following the death of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne at the age of 76.
His family said he passed away on Tuesday “surrounded by love” as they announced the sad news.
It comes just weeks after the rocker played his final gig with his band at Villa Park in Birmingham.
Hours before the news was announced, Osbourne shared what was to be his final social media post.
It featured a poster backstage at the Villa Park gig which said: “Back to the Beginning. The Final Show.”
Tributes have now been paid from fans around the world on the now-poignant post.
The legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5 that it was “so good to be on this stage” as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Iommi, Butler and Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.
Among the bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N’Roses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton.
In an emotional moment, Osbourne said: “I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
In a statement on Tuesday, his family said: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love.
“We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
