Ozzy let us into his celebrity life and became a national treasure

Ozzy Osbourne - who has died at the age of 76 - was more than just a music superstar.

- Neil Pickford on Ozzy Osbourne's TV stardom

The outpouring of love for Ozzy following his death just weeks after a Black Sabbath reunion concert held in his home city of Birmingham proved that he had transcended being a mere heavy metal legend.

Osbourne's theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness, marked him out as a controversial figure, but he became a national treasure.

He left school at 15 and did odd jobs, including factory work, before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.

Black Sabbath went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide.

The group were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Osbourne was added for a second time last year.

He rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon - whom he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly - through their MTV reality TV series The Osbournes, which became essential viewing from 2002.