Ozzy Osbourne’s fans had sensed the end was near. Admirers watched the heavy metal icon perform while seated on a black throne at his final show just a few weeks ago.

Osbourne died 17 days after enthralling thousands of adoring fans in an emotional farewell gig in Birmingham featuring dozens of other performances including by Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler in day-long heavy metal extravaganza.

Ozzy Osbourne put Birmingham on the map and never forgot his roots, says mayor - Ozzy Osbourne was the vocalist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath who formed in the city in 1968.