The singer has recently topped the charts

The singer was put on a ventilator after cracking a vertebra in his neck and breaking eight ribs in the accident on his Buckinghamshire estate.

Osbourne was taken to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough for emergency surgery on a damaged blood vessel.

He has now been transferred to a private clinic where he will continue his estimated six-month recuperation.

A spokeswoman for the former Black Sabbath frontman said he was "progressing well".

Osbourne, 55, slept for much of the week after the accident and woke up to discover his single Changes, sung with daughter Kelly, was top of the charts.

Statement

He began breathing unaided a week ago and has been joking with nurses in a rasping voice - asking two of them to marry him.

A statement issued on behalf of his family said: "The Osbourne family are very happy that Ozzy has been allowed out of the intensive care unit for Christmas and would like to thank everyone for their kind support, well wishes and prayers.

"They would also like to thank all the staff at Wexham Park Hospital for the outstanding care and treatment that Ozzy has received since his arrival."