Ozzy Osbourne’s emotional final words to fans at last ever gig before death aged 76

Ozzy Osbourne's parting words to fans at his final gig earlier this month have now taken on even more meaning in the wake of his death.

The 76-year-old rocker died 'surrounded by love' on Tuesday (22 July) morning, his loved ones announced in a solemn statement.

He had been living with Parkinson's disease since 2019, which he previously said made it feel as though his feet had 'bricks tied to them' when he was walking.

The Black Sabbath frontman had also had a nasty fall around the same time which left him needing surgery, while he also suffered from a number of other health problems.

But when he took to the stage at Birmingham's Villa Park on 5 July, Ozzy still managed to put on an incredible show for the 42,000-strong crowd who turned out in force to see him.

The father-of-six, who celebrated his 43rd wedding anniversary with wife Sharon the day before taking to the stage, belted out his hits from a black throne adorned with the figure of a giant bat.

Ozzy Osbourne, pictured in 2022, put on a show to remember before his death (Harry How/Getty Images)

Which is a very fitting podium for the 'Prince of Darkness', who famously bit the head off one of the winged animals while on stage.

At his farewell gig, which took place less than three weeks ago, bands such as Metallica and Guns n’ Roses also took to the stage for the 'Back to the Beginning' benefit concert.

Even more incredibly, the show raised around $190 million (£140million) for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice and Cure Parkinson's.

Ozzy seemed to soak up every second on stage and didn't mind telling his fans how much it meant to him to rock their socks off for one last time.

"I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years," he told the crowd at one point.

"You have no idea how I feel. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

The rocker said an emotional goodbye to fans as the gig wrapped up (X)

As he prepared to belt out the 'last song ever' with Black Sabbath, he also said: "Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts."

There was also a message blasted on screens around Villa Park which read: "Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever."

Ozzy has uttered plenty of iconic lines throughout his life, but the words he shared with the audience in his hometown are ones which his supporters have vowed to never forget.

Paying tribute to the music legend on social media, one person wrote: "As sad as it is, there is something so special to me about Ozzy Osbourne’s final works and tours being the VERY last part of his life before he died.

"An artist in so many ways beyond words, and a pillar to our community as a whole. Thank you Mr. Prince of Darkness, Blizzard of Oz."

Another wrote: "Weeks after his official retirement, he passes away...the man was a legend. RIP Ozzy Osbourne."