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BBC Pulls Plug on Ozzy Osbourne Doc! Rocker's Final Years Documentary Vanishes Hours Before Airing

Published 2 weeks ago4 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
BBC Pulls Plug on Ozzy Osbourne Doc! Rocker's Final Years Documentary Vanishes Hours Before Airing

A planned BBC One documentary, titled "Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home," has been shrouded in mystery after being abruptly pulled from schedules on Monday, August 18, just hours before its anticipated broadcast. The documentary, which was due to air on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm, was replaced by "Fake or Fortune," with a BBC spokesperson stating that the film had "moved in the schedules" and "new premiere details will be shared in due course." This decision came weeks after the legendary rock icon, Ozzy Osbourne, passed away at the age of 76 on July 22.

"Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home" was conceived as an intimate film chronicling the final three years of Osbourne's life. It aimed to capture his and wife Sharon's emotional journey as they planned their return to the UK, specifically to Welders in Buckinghamshire, after 25 years living in Los Angeles. The docuseries, featuring Sharon, their daughter Kelly, and son Jack, was intended to be a poignant look at the family at a pivotal moment. Originally pitched as far back as 2002 as a reality series titled "Home to Roost," it evolved into a more profound narrative as Ozzy's health deteriorated due to Parkinson’s disease and a series of neck and spine surgeries. Despite its planned broadcast, reports indicated that the film was tragically never finished in its complete form, especially as it sought to capture his final months.

A significant focus of the documentary was Ozzy's unwavering determination to perform one last time for his fans. Despite battling constant pain and requiring around-the-clock nursing, he was resolute. The move back to the UK had been delayed for almost two years due to his health, but doctors finally gave him clearance to travel and perform. In preparation for what would be his ultimate farewell gig, Ozzy underwent singing lessons almost daily, determined to "go out with a bang." Sources noted that even with his ailments, he remained sharp-witted and humorous, with his determination stemming from a deep desire to thank the fans who had given him and Sharon such an extraordinary life.

The final, show-stopping spectacular took place at Villa Park in Birmingham, his home city, just two weeks before his passing. An emotional Ozzy opened up to the crowd, confessing, "I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're all f***ing special. Let's go crazy, come on." He performed five solo songs, including fan favorites like "Mama, I'm Coming Home" (with fans waving phone torches) and "Crazy Train," before confetti rained over the packed stadium. After a brief interlude, he rejoined his iconic band Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years, closing the night with a powerful rendition of "Paranoid."

In his last ever interview, Ozzy emphasized that his "final encore" meant "everything," seeing it as his chance to express gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support. He reflected on the significance of performing in Birmingham, stating, "I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else. I had to go back to the beginning," and shared nostalgic childhood memories of watching football at the Aston Villa stadium. Following the show, Ozzy had looked forward to fully retiring at Welders with Sharon, intending to spend their remaining days together in Buckinghamshire, a testament to their enduring love despite years of ups and downs.

The documentary also highlighted the family's profound journey. Kelly Osbourne revealed her engagement to Sid Wilson, which occurred backstage at her father's final Black Sabbath gig. The film was described as a moving portrait of the family's acceptance of Ozzy's declining health, with Kelly poignantly remarking, "Iron man wasn’t really made of iron." Executive producers Ben Wicks and Colin Barr hailed the project as an "inspiring and poignant" account of Ozzy's fight to perform, underscoring his love for his exceptional family who stood by him throughout. Clare Sillery, BBC's head of documentary commissioning, expressed honor in filming the Osbournes during this challenging period, hoping the film would bring comfort and joy to fans celebrating his extraordinary life.

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