Sharon Osbourne remembers husband Ozzy as ‘authentic and gifted’ at Brit Awards

By Casey Cooper-Fiske, Laura Harding and Carla Feric, Press Association Reporters

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has been remembered by his widow Sharon as “authentic, gifted and unpredictable”, as he was honoured with a posthumous lifetime achievement award at the 2026 Brits.

The singer, known as the Prince of Darkness, died aged 76 in July last year just over two weeks after his Back To The Beginning farewell concert where he was reunited with his bandmates.

His widow Sharon and their daughter Kelly collected the accolade on his behalf as his legacy was recognised during the annual award show.

To introduce the award, American singer Dolly Parton appeared via video link and said: “Ozzy Osbourne dedicated his entire life to music, and his legacy has left a permanent imprint in the fabric of music lovers everywhere.

“Ozzy knew how to get your attention with his love of theatrics, his musical gifts, and he could turn any occasion into a full blown show.”

The country star, known for hits such as 9 To 5, then called Sharon up to the stage – who was flanked by their second-youngest daughter Kelly.

During her speech, Sharon said: I’m honoured to accept this award for my gorgeous husband.”

“I wish he was here to accept it himself.

“But, I know that Ozzy is looking down on us all right now, and I know what he’s thinking. He hated to make speeches, he hated listening to speeches.

“He’ll be saying, ‘hey, Mrs, shut the f*** up. Just say thank you and get off that stage’. But I’m not going to, because I have to waffle on a bit.”

Osbourne reflected on how “fickle” the music industry can be, adding: “My old man was blessed with a one in a million career. He was at the top of his game for 56 years.”

She continued: “Ozzy was authentic. He was a gifted, totally unpredictable, wild man. He was a true artist.”

Sharon praised her husband’s background, having come from a working-class neighbourhood in Birmingham.

She said: “He rose to become one of the most recognisable and respected musicians of his life. And he was filled with extraordinarily wonderful high times but very real, low times.

“But he never stopped tirelessly pushing himself to do better. He always wanted to do better, both personally and professionally.”

Sharon called him a “humble egomaniac” and said he will “always be a rock star”, adding: “We spent most of our lives touring the world, but Ozzy’s heart never left England, wherever we were in the world.

“He was always proud to be that working class Brummie and never let anyone forget it.”

As she concluded her speech, Sharon remembered when thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham following his death to pay tribute.

She praised his supporters, and said: “(Ozzy) loved (his fans) for giving him his extraordinary career, and for their loyalty that they gave him, and I know that they loved him back as much as he loved them.

“He may not be here, but he left us one amazing body of work that will never be forgotten by the country that made him.”

Her daughter, Kelly, thanked the audience for loving her father “as much as we do” and referencing the football team supported by Ozzy – Aston Villa – she said: “I hope I don’t disrespect Manchester by saying this, but up the Villa and Birmingham forever.”

Sharon added: “There will never be another Ozzy f****** Osbourne.”

The pair’s tribute was then followed by a performance, curated by Sharon, which consisted of a special arrangement of Black Sabbath’s 1991 song No More Tears.

It was fronted by Robbie Williams, who was joined on stage by musicians who have previously played as part of Ozzy’s band, including keyboardist Adam Wakeman, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, drummer Tommy Clufetos and guitarist Zakk Wylde.

The music star died of a reported heart attack on July 22nd after suffering a string of health issues over the years, including multiple surgeries following a fall in February 2019 and being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Black Sabbath formed in 1968 and are widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal.

Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the 2000s reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside wife Sharon and their two youngest children.