The Donington links of Monster of Rock Ozzy Osbourne

Shirtless and peerless at Monsters of Rock in 1996

Black Sabbath's founding frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a true monster of rock - so it's no surprise his legend is inextricably linked with the spiritual home of metal, Donington Park.

The singer, who died in the UK at the age of 76, was no stranger to Leicestershire having played at venues including a show at Il Rondo with Black Sabbath as far back as 1970.

Osbourne also played De Montfort Hall and Leicester Polytechnic through the 1980s as a solo artist after he was fired from Black Sabbath.

At Donington Park he appeared at Monsters of Rock in 1984, 1986 and in 1996, when he co-headlined the final festival with Kiss.

Osbourne headlined the last ever Monsters of Rock at Donington Park - and went on to help revive the festival as Download

Although there had been talk of expanding the festival to two days for 1997, the event was cancelled after organisers struggled to recruit headliners.

But 1997 was a good year for Osbourne - it was the year he rejoined Black Sabbath.

Five years later, his Ozzfest shows returned him to Leicestershire for their 2002 event.

Ozzfest in 2002 reversed the fortunes of Donington Park as a heavy metal festival venue

The Prince of Darkness lit up Download in 2012

It was a hit, and the following year Download held its first festival at the Castle Donington site.

Osbourne, both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, went on to play the festival in 2005, in 2012 and for a final time in 2016.

When Ozzy played the festival in 2016, heavy rain led to it being dubbed 'Drownload'

It was his final visit to Donington Park.

Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease - a struggle he was vocal about but which began to limit his performances.

But his death came just weeks after the band played a farewell gig in his home city of Birmingham.