Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home - what to expect from BBC documentary

Alex McIntyreBBC News, West Midlands

The documentary will feature footage of Ozzy Osbourne, wife Sharon and their children over the past three years

Ruaridh Connellan/Expectation/BBC Ozzy Osbourne, an elderly man with long grey/black hair, a crucifix around his neck, sits on a sofa while holding a cane. He is leaning on his wife Sharon - a woman with short red hair and wearing blue. They are holding two small brown dogs. — The documentary will feature footage of Ozzy Osbourne, wife Sharon and their children over the past three years

It was just six weeks ago when legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne performed in front of thousands of adoring metalheads for the final time in his home city of Birmingham.

Seventeen days later, the Black Sabbath singer and heavy metal pioneer died at his home surrounded by his family, aged 76.

His death sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, friends and artists across the world – an indication of his enduring influence, which started with Black Sabbath’s formation in the late 1960s.

On Monday evening, BBC One will air Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, which was filmed during the late singer’s last years.

What is the documentary about?

According to producer Expectation, the film will be a “moving and inspirational account” of the last chapter of Ozzy’s life.

It was filmed over three years and has been told through “unique and intimate access” to the whole family, including Ozzy, wife Sharon, son Jack and daughter Kelly.

The documentary will feature what makers described as the “extraordinary rollercoaster” of the Osbournes’ lives as Sharon and Ozzy tried to realise a long-held dream to move back to the UK.

It was originally announced as a series, Home to Roost, in 2022, but the project evolved as Ozzy’s health continued to deteriorate.

Ozzy Osbourne died 17 days after his final performance

Ross Halfin Ozzy Osbourne - a man with long hair and wearing a black shire and black leather coat - sits in a gothic black throne in front of a microphone with his mouth wide open and his arms wide open. — Ozzy Osbourne died 17 days after his final performance

What will we see during the film?

The singer will be shown “heroically” battling to get fit enough to perform on stage again, as the family deal with the consequences of his ill-health, the BBC said.

There will be “love, laughter and tears”, as well as unforgettable family moments, typical of the Osbournes.

It will also show the family accept the reality of their situation, encapsulated by Kelly’s words: “Iron Man wasn’t really made of iron.”

Producers said it would serve as a “remarkably candid and uplifting tribute” to one of the world’s “true icons”.

What do the BBC and film-makers say?

Clare Sillery, BBC head of documentary commissioning, said the team was “honoured” to film the Osbournes during this period of their lives.

She said the film showed the “enduring spirit” that made Ozzy a global icon.

“We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy’s fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life,” she added.

Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne, pictured here in 2007, will all appear in the film

PA Media From left to right - Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne pose for a picture at an event. — Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne, pictured here in 2007, will all appear in the film

Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, executive producers at Expectation, said the film was an “inspiring and poignant” account of Ozzy fulfilling his dream to perform on stage one last time.

They said: “Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty, all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life.

“But one thing shone through even more brightly to us and that was Ozzy’s intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all.”