A FAN-TASTIC SEND-OFF FOR A CITY LEGEND

CROWDS LINE BROAD STREET TO PAY RESPECTS TO BLACK SABBATH STAR

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THOUSANDS of heartbroken fans turned out to say a sad, final farewell to their heavy metal hero, Ozzy Osbourne.

They lined the streets to pay their respects as the Birmingham-born Black Sabbath singer's cortege passed along Broad Street.

Hundreds of fans were lining the street four hours before the procession began at 1pm, and numbers grew throughout the morning with the pavements jam packed.

The mood was a mixture of solemn and celebration, with fans finding solace sharing stories and fond memories of Ozzy, his music, his antics and his gigs.

Among those in Broad Street was Rocky Shades, 65, the lead singer of glam metal band Wrathchild, who said Ozzy was the "beating heart of Birmingham".

He said: "When my band first started in 1980, I always wanted to be Ozzy Osbourne!

"Ozzy has always been a part of my life. As early as 1970 I infiltrated my elder brother's bedroom and found a Black Sabbath album and it changed my musical outlook on life

"I turned to heavy rock from that point. I'm now 65 and I'm still rocking."

Ahead of the procession passing by, Rocky added: "There will be tears. I'm not supposed to be a very emotional person, but how can you not?"

Former Black Sabbath manager Jim Simpson was among the thousands of people paying their respects.