Extra time for Ozzy exhibition due to demand

21 hours ago

Shehnaz KhanWest Midlands

News image — The free exhibition will now be on display until September

BBC An art gallery hall with framed pictures on black walls. There is a poster of a man in the centre of the room, which says "Ozzy Osbourne, Working Class Hero" on it. — The free exhibition will now be on display until September

An exhibition celebrating Ozzy Osbourne has been extended once again, following "phenomenal" public demand.

Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero, which opened at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on 25 June, ahead of Black Sabbath's farewell concert at Villa Park in July, has already attracted more than 425,000 visitors.

Originally scheduled to close in September 2025, the free exhibition was first extended to 18 January.

It will now remain open until 27 September 2026, thanks to the continued support of the Osbourne family, Birmingham Museums said.

The display, developed in partnership with Central BID Birmingham, showcases some of Osbourne's prestigious international honours, including Grammy Awards and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame accolades.

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy died two weeks after his last concert in July, with the museum home to the official book of condolence in the wake of his death.

A man and woman stand in an exhibition hall, in front of a poster of a man that says "Ozzy Osbourne, Working Class Hero" on it and a black ribbon. The man is tall and wears grey suit trousers, a black suit jacket, white shirt, pale pink tie and a mayoral chain. The woman has dyed red hair, glasses and is wearing a white suit jacket with a black top underneath and black trousers. There are people standing around the edges of the exhibition hall looking on. — Sharon Osbourne at the exhibition launch in June with Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal

A tribute wall, consisting of 77 messages chosen from over 50,000 tributes left by fans in the book, was unveiled on 3 December on what would have been his 77th birthday.

Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, said they were extremely proud to bring the exhibition to the museum with the support of Sharon Osbourne.

"The demand to see the exhibition has been phenomenal and we are very grateful that Sharon and her family have allowed us to extend the exhibition... which will give Ozzy's fans from the UK and around the world an opportunity to celebrate his extraordinary life and achievements," he said.

The display also features a selection of Ozzy's platinum and gold discs, alongside photography and video.

"We are so proud that Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery asked to extend Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero, and that more fans will now have the opportunity to go through the exhibit," added Sharon Osbourne.

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