City mourns as music’s Prince of Darkness is laid to rest

SHARON Osbourne was visibly emotional as fans shouted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy’ during a procession through the streets of Birmingham in honour of the heavy metal star.

- HANNAH ROBERTS Press Association reporter

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 on Tuesday last week.

His wife, former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, could be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, after she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench where floral tributes have been laid.

She was helped out of the first vehicle in the cortege by her and Ozzy’s son Jack, who joined her at the event along with their daughters Aimee and Kelly, who all raised their hands in a peace sign while paying their respects.

Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears at the bench as they inspected tributes, with members of the crowd shouting “we love you, Ozzy”.

Each family member carried a pink rose, wrapped in black paper tied with a purple ribbon, that they laid on top of the many other floral tributes that sat next to a poster of the star, which said “Birmingham will always love you”.

Sharon kissed the flower she was holding before laying it in the middle of the tributes.