A planned BBC documentary titled “Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home” was abruptly pulled from schedules just hours before its anticipated airing, leaving fans and media in suspense. The film, described as an intimate and insightful look into the final three years of the legendary rock icon Ozzy Osbourne’s life, was slated to premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday, August 18, at 9 PM. However, it was replaced by “Fake or Fortune,” with a BBC spokesperson stating only that the film had “moved in the schedules” and that new premiere details would be shared later.

The documentary aimed to chronicle Ozzy and his wife Sharon’s heartfelt decision to return to their home in the UK after living in Los Angeles for 25 years. More poignantly, it was also intended to capture Ozzy’s strenuous preparations for what would ultimately be his farewell gig. Tragically, the BBC One docuseries, which intimately featured Ozzy’s wife Sharon and their children Kelly and Jack, was never fully completed due to Ozzy’s declining health. Ozzy passed away at the age of 76, just weeks after taking to the stage one final time with his Black Sabbath bandmates at Villa Park in Birmingham, a performance his doctors had finally cleared him to undertake.

Sources close to the rock legend revealed that he underwent singing lessons almost daily to prepare for this monumental final performance. Despite being in “constant pain” and requiring round-the-clock nursing care, Ozzy’s determination to play was unwavering. His resolve stemmed from a profound desire to perform for the fans who had given him and Sharon such an extraordinary life. Even with his severe ailments, Ozzy retained his sharp wit and sense of humor. The filming process itself was sporadic, often halted or resumed depending on Ozzy’s fragile health. Following the show, Ozzy had expressed his eager anticipation of fully retiring at Welders with Sharon in Buckinghamshire, cherishing their final days together, a testament to the enduring love they shared despite their well-documented ups and downs.

The final concert at Villa Park was a truly emotional and historic event. Ozzy addressed the packed, adoring 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 opened his set with an electrifying “Let me hear you. Are you ready? Let the madness begin!” Later, he proclaimed, “It’s so good to be on this f***ing stage. You have no idea. I f***ing love you all. Let me see your hands in the air. You are the best, each and every one of you. God bless you all.” Ozzy performed five songs in his solo set, with fans illuminating the stadium with their phone torches during “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” He concluded his solo performance with “Crazy Train,” as confetti rained over Villa Park. After a brief intermission, he rejoined Black Sabbath on stage for the first time in 20 years, performing some of their greatest hits and concluding with a powerful rendition of “Paranoid.”

In what would be his last interview with RadioX, Ozzy emphasized that his “final encore” meant “everything” to him, viewing it as a profound opportunity to express gratitude to his unwavering fans. He articulated that he “couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else,” highlighting the significance of performing in Birmingham and recalling cherished childhood memories of watching football at the Aston Villa stadium. Meanwhile, his daughter Kelly Osbourne announced her engagement to boyfriend Sid Wilson, sharing a video of the proposal that occurred backstage at her father’s ultimate Black Sabbath gig.

Originally conceived in 2002 as a reality series akin to “The Osbournes” called “Home to Roost,” the documentary evolved significantly as Ozzy’s health deteriorated due to Parkinson’s disease and a series of neck and spine surgeries. The film was transformed into a “moving portrait of one of the world’s most entertaining families,” vividly showcasing the palpable strength of Ozzy and Sharon’s love and their children’s devotion, alongside the family’s acceptance of Ozzy’s increasing unwellness. BBC’s head of documentary commissioning, Clare Sillery, and executive producers Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, expressed hope that the “inspiring and poignant” film would bring “comfort and joy” to Ozzy’s fans, celebrating his extraordinary life and recalling his characteristic mischief and honesty, always underpinned by an intense love for his exceptional family.