A special one-off documentary on the life of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne was due to air on the BBC tonight, but it has been pulled from the schedule at the last minute
A poignant documentary, described as a “moving and inspirational account of the last chapter” of Ozzy Osbourne’s life, was unexpectedly rescheduled without any given reason.
The programme, titled ‘Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home’, was set to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 9pm this evening. It promised “unique and intimate access to the whole Osbourne family”, including wife Sharon, and children Kelly and Jack. However, the one-off, hour-long documentary, which was announced earlier this month, has now mysteriously disappeared from BBC TV listings, replaced by ‘Fake or Fortune’.
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy passed away aged 76 on July 22 due to a reported heart attack, just weeks after reuniting with the band on stage for The Back To The Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham.
Ozzy had been filming his return back to the UK, a dream he’d held onto for years.
His homecoming was set to be captured in the BBC TV film, however, fans were left disappointed when it was abruptly removed from listings at the last minute. A spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror today that the “film has moved in the schedules” and new premiere details will be shared “in due course”.
The BBC hasn’t clarified why ‘Coming Home’ was dropped at the eleventh hour, but sources suggest the family’s reaction to the final cut played a significant role.
A source revealed to The Sun: “There have been conversations behind the scenes that maybe the BBC were rushing their show on Ozzy out – especially because Paramount+ also had a film in the offing.”
Originally, the programme was planned as a ten-part documentary titled Home To Roost, following Ozzy and Sharon’s relocation to the UK. But following Ozzy’s death, it was transformed into a single film.
The insider revealed: “What mattered the most to the family was the overall tone and theme of the programme, which features Ozzy and Sharon in one of their last interviews together.
“It started to feel like the goal being pursued was that the BBC and the makers of the film were to get the show on air faster than the Paramount+ doc. Naturally that has caused some concerns with the family.”
The documentary has been shot over three years and “captures the extraordinary rollercoaster of their lives” as Ozzy and Sharon “attempt to complete their long-held dream of moving back to the UK”, the BBC announced earlier this month whilst promoting the film.
It also shows musician Ozzy as he “heroically battles to get fit enough to perform” and the family coping with “the dramatic consequences of his ill health”, with Kelly quoted as saying in the programme: “Iron Man wasn’t really made of iron.”
The rock legend had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.
Clare Sillery, head of commissioning, BBC Documentaries, said on August 7: “We are honoured to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the UK.
“It features family moments, humour, reflection and shows 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.”
Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, executive producers at production company Expectation, added: “It was an incredible privilege to spend the last few years with Ozzy , as well as Sharon, Jack and Kelly. Ozzy wanted to make it back to the UK and appear on stage one last time – our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream.
“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.”
Last month, mourners joined Ozzy’s family to honour the legend as a funeral procession wound its way through Birmingham.
Sharon and their children were visibly emotional upon reaching the Black Sabbath bench, where countless tributes, balloons and flowers had been placed by devoted fans. Bostin Brass musicians performed Black Sabbath tunes to accompany the funeral procession, while fans tossed flowers at the hearse as it solemnly made its way through the city.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
