Birmingham meant 'everything' to Ozzy Osbourne

Birmingham meant "everything" to Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne has told the BBC.

Speaking on the red carpet at the Brit Awards on Saturday, Sharon said her husband, who was born and raised in the Aston area of the city, had never forgotten his hometown.

"Ozzy loved being a Brummie, he was very proud of where he came from and never ever forgot. He always used to say, northern people are the most loyal people in the world, and it's true," she said.

Osbourne, who died last July, aged 76, was posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony in Manchester, which closed with an all-star tribute performance led by Robbie Williams.

The performance had been curated by Sharon Osbourne and was backed by a band including Metallica's Robert Trujillo and Ozzy's long time guitarist Zakk Wylde.

In an emotional speech accepting the award, Sharon said her husband came "from a small working class neighbourhood in Birmingham" and "he rose to become one of the most recognisable and respected musicians".

"We spent most of our lives touring the world but Ozzy's heart never left England," she said.

"Wherever we were in the world, he was always proud to be that working class Brummie and he never let anyone forget it."

The Black Sabbath frontman died just over two weeks after the heavy metal band's Back to the Beginning farewell show, which took place at Villa Park, close to where he was born.

Fans flocked to Birmingham to pay tribute to the rock legend after his death, laying thousands of flowers and messages at Black Sabbath bridge, with huge crowds later lining the streets to pay their respects during his final journey through his home city.

His daughter, Kelly, told the BBC the family were grateful to people in the city for their support.

"We'll never be able to thank the people of Birmingham enough," she said.

"How they showed up for my dad and have always been there for my dad – there are not enough words in the world to describe our gratitude, there really aren't."

Both Kelly and Sharon Osbourne said having the tribute to Ozzy was "an honour".

"I know he would be so proud to win this tonight," said Sharon.

"It's so special," Kelly said. "It's all his friends - all his close friends that are up there playing in his honour, in tribute to him.

"It's just so special that Robbie is doing it, because Robbie gave my dad his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and now he's doing his tribute.

"It just shows the longevity of their friendship. And then everyone from my dad's band and it's just nice for all of us to be together as well."

Sharon added that she wanted to "thank everybody for their love that they have shown for Ozzy over so many years. It's not taken lightly."

"We couldn't have got through this time without the support we received and we are forever in debt," Kelly added.

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