Kelly Osbourne delivered a heartfelt tribute to her legendary father, Ozzy Osbourne, during an emotional visit to Birmingham city centre. The occasion marked what would have been the Black Sabbath icon's 77th birthday, with Kelly present to accept a prestigious civic honour in his name.
An Emotional Homecoming in the Council House
Seated in the grand office of the Lord Mayor, Zafar Iqbal, Kelly Osbourne's eyes shone behind her distinctive circular glasses, a style reminiscent of her father's later years. She was in the city to receive The Lord Mayor's Award, an honour cementing Ozzy's legacy as one of Birmingham's most celebrated musical sons. The date was poignant: December 7, 2025, Ozzy's first birthday since his passing in July of that year.
Kelly's appearance was deeply personal. She wore a cross around her neck and displayed the matching bat tattoo she shared with 'The Prince of Darkness' on her hand. On her other hand glittered the engagement ring from Slipknot's Sid Wilson, who proposed in front of Ozzy after his final public performance in Aston on July 5, 2025. Kelly recalled her dad's typical humorous reaction: "you're not marrying my daughter!"
A Daughter's Mission to Continue a Legacy
Despite Ozzy's famed humour, Kelly's mood was one of serious purpose. She spoke passionately about her father's roots and the city that shaped him. "In this great big world, it was this little city that made him who he was, and he got to change the world," she stated. She described Ozzy as a "working class hero" and praised the straightforward, loving nature of Brummies.
Kelly made a firm commitment to her father's adopted home. "We will never, ever give up on our mission to make Birmingham the most important city in England," she declared, vowing to continue the family's charity work. She credited her 'big brother' Louis as a pillar of strength and spoke fondly of family moments in the city, from walks through the German Market with her son Sidney to visiting the Black Sabbath bench with her mother, Sharon.
A City's Love: From Villa Park to Broad Street
The scale of Birmingham's affection for Ozzy was revealed in stunning numbers. Kelly reflected on the 400,000 people who visited the exhibition about his life at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. She recounted how Ozzy, ever humble, told Sharon after his 'Back To The Beginning' shows that he "couldn't believe people liked him that much."
The family's grief was met with immense public support. Some 40,000 fans attended Ozzy's final solo and Black Sabbath sets at Villa Park Stadium, with thousands more lining the streets for his funeral procession from Villa Park to Broad Street on July 30, 2025. The Osbourne family personally funded the arrangements, driven by a simple wish: "We just wanted my dad to come home one more time."
Kelly expressed profound gratitude for the "outpouring of love" from the public, stating the letters of condolence and public support had helped her family immensely. She now proudly considers herself an "honorary Brummie."
Concluding with a powerful insight, Kelly leaned forward to emphasise her final point. "My dad died the happiest I've ever seen him in his life," she revealed. "And that was because of the people of Birmingham." For Kelly Osbourne, showing up to honour her father's memory was a duty bigger than grief, a testament to the unbreakable bond between a global rock star and the city that never forgot him.
