Osbourne added: “I’ve been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It’s like starting all over again. I’ve got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going.” Osbourne’s daughter Kelly added the planned Villa Park performance would be deeply emotional for the singer and for fans of the legendary metal band.
“It gives me goosebumps just talking about it because it’s his moment to give back and it’s not about anything other than his love for his fans,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a really magical moment.”
Osbourne is expected to perform a short solo set before joining Butler, Iommi and Ward for a full Sabbath performance.
His wife and longtime manager Sharon Osbourne, 71, said his voice remains unaffected by the progression of his illness.
“He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this,” she said.
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilise. It affects different parts of the body and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
Osbourne and his family moved back to the UK in 2023, a decision he described as a homecoming.
“I’m English. I want to be back,” he said. “I’ve had enough of living in America. I want to come home.”
