Louise from Kidderminster told Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live that she met Ozzy and attended a private gig he held back in summer 2010 - all thanks to a queue outside HMV.

Her and a friend queued up to get a wristband, which guaranteed meeting Ozzy and going to a private concert he was hosting at Birmingham's town hall that evening.

Speaking about meeting him, Louise said: "I remember being really emotional because I loved him so much and I remember saying it's a privilege to meet you in your hometown.

"He signed my CD and all I remember is he smelled really nice, which you don't expect of a rock god. It was kind of like toothpaste, minty, and aftershave. But he was lovely."

She said the gig was incredible and that she even made eye contact with Sharon Osbourne, who blew her a kiss.

"It was probably the best day of my life, over my wedding," she laughed.

"[Black Sabbath] got me through my teen years, I just love the music. My old cat was called Ozzy.

"It's just a really emotional day. They meant so much to me."

"They loved this place, they're from this place, they've never stopped speaking about this place.

"And I think that's why they meant so much to people. I think that's why what they've done is so meaningful."

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker spoke to Ozzy Osbourne when Black Sabbath were recently given the Freedom of the City.

"It just meant so much to them, for these folks that grew up here and have conquered the world ... to see how much that recognition meant to them - it was really really visible and they were incredibly moved by it," he said.

The Crown pub on Station Street marks the spot where Black Sabbath played its first gig.

It was built in 1881 and shut in 2014 after it was bought by a Japanese development company, and there have been increasing calls for it to be saved as a heritage site.

"I certainly think as a bare minimum we have to make the most of that fantastic landmark The Crown."

He added: "I'll be really really pleased if we can find a way to use The Crown as both a tribute and recognition of not just Ozzy and Black Sabbath but the music that was founded there.

"It's more than a landmark, it's part of our heritage."

Fans have been calling in to BBC Radio 5 Live to pay their respects and tell their stories about Ozzy.

David from Leeds said he was on a family holiday in Las Vegas back in 2005 or 2006, where the family visited the Kodak Theatre.

Ozzy and his children were being hounded by reporters but David piped up with "Alright Ozzy" and says the heavy metal legend made a beeline to talk to him, saying: "Alright man, you don't sound like you're from here."

He then gave David's mum a hug.

"She passed away a few months ago so he's gone up there to give her another hug, obviously," he said.

"It just shows what a nice person he was - he heard a voice that was English and came straight over.

"He was just a really nice guy who had time for people."

Image source, Ian Yates

A 20-year-old student who designed a medal for Black Sabbath has said it was "surreal" to be invited to their final concert.

Toby Williams from Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire won a competition to design a medal for Black Sabbath, marking the band being awarded the freedom of the city of Birmingham earlier this month.

His design was chosen in a contest organised by Birmingham City University's jewellery school.

The jewellery student not only got to present his design to the band but was also invited by Sharon Osbourne to their final concert, given backstage passes, and ended up at their after-show party.

Image source, Birmingham City University

Speaking after Ozzy's death, Mr Williams told the BBC: "Obviously what's happened is sad. He really will be missed, but what a way to do it - £140m for charity is amazing.

"[At the last show] he was commanding the audience and he performed brilliantly.

"Seeing these A-class rock legends at that ceremony and at the gig worshiping Ozzy for the legend that he is, it really drums in how surreal it was and how unique and amazing an opportunity it was to shake his hand and tell him how much of an honour it was to design the medals for him."

Image source, Birmingham City University

To thank Sharon Osbourne for inviting him to the concert and after party, Mr Williams, knowing that Sharon loved pearls, made her a pearl necklace which both her and her eldest daughter Aimee complimented.

Commenting on meeting Black Sabbath at the ceremony, Mr Williams said: "Them all being true Brummies, they're one of the most humble group of people I've ever met. They really were really nice."

Christine Turner from Hodge Hill has suggested Aston Villa's North Stand be renamed in honour of the late musician.

“There is talk on Aston Villa groups about why don’t they name the North Stand when it’s done the Osbourne Stand or the Sabbath Stand," she said.

“I think the Osbourne Stand would be a nice tribute. It’s just so sad.”

Image source, Reuters

Donington Park is regarded by many as the spiritual home of metal, having hosted the Monsters of Rock and the Download festivals over many decades.

It's therefore unsurprising that Ozzy Osbourne lit up the stage at the Leicestershire venue several times during his illustrious career - including taking Ozzfest there in 2002.

Image source, PA Media

This feature takes a look back through his many appearances at Donington Park over the years.

Alison Hammond has said she feels "so saddened" after she accidentally missed the chance to see Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert in person.

While presenting on ITV's This Morning, she said: "I had a message from (his son) Jack saying, 'Come to the concert'. I didn't see the message.

"It said: 'My mum wants to extend this invitation'.

"I didn't see the message, and literally, I looked at it today and I missed it. I feel so, so bad because I could have gone to see him, and I'm so saddened.

"But I did watch the concert, and I thought it was unbelievable."

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Sue Williams

IT trainer Sue Williams has revealed how Ozzy Osbourne once visited her house to cheer up a student with cerebral palsy who was desperate to meet the legendary singer.

Ms Williams, from Eccleshall in Staffordshire, managed to arrange the meeting in 1983 while the Black Sabbath frontman, after she noticed one of her students, Don, was "really, really sad".

While talking to him, she learned one of his ambitions was to meet Osbourne.

She knew the previous owner of Osbourne's house and tried the number she still had for the address, where she got through to his roadie.

Image source, Sue Williams

On the day of the visit, Mrs Williams said she and Don were sitting in her lounge when they saw two people walking up the drive – one was Osbourne, wearing a purple jumpsuit and at the time he had short blonde hair.

"He was absolutely brilliant," she said. "He brought Don gifts, he took the t-shirt off his back and gave it to him and he took photographs with him.

"He was just an absolute delight."

She said Osbourne stayed for two to three hours, during which he urged Don never to take drugs and asked if there was any scotch when he was offered tea or coffee.

Mrs Williams said they had a "wonderful" afternoon with him and described Osbourne as a "perfect, perfect gentleman".

"Don was beside himself with happiness, he couldn't believe it," she added.

"It absolutely made his life."

Read more here.

Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning raised money for a few charities.

Acorns Hospice was one of the beneficiaries and CEO Trevor Johnson said it was important that Osbourne had given a voice to the children and families who often felt unheard.

“That showed what he was about and showed the impact that he's had right across the world from here in the West Midlands and I think it was a fitting end to an extraordinary life."

Image source, Reuters

He added that it was still too early to confirm exactly how much money had been raised.

“I know there's an awful lot of numbers being bandied around on social media, and I see numbers that are just extraordinary being banded around, but the honest answer is, right now, we don't know.

“It takes a long time to account for all of these things, work out all of the costs and everything else. So we've just been talking with the family, who have been amazing in terms of support."

Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat

You might have seen Rosie Lynall AKA NailsBab on your socials.

She was back stage at the Back to the Beginning concert painting some of the Osbournes' nails.

"Meeting the Osbourne family was surreal," she told BBC Newsbeat.

"I said hello to [Ozzy]. I was at the bar and he was getting wheeled in. I've never been starstruck before but I did when I saw him because he's an icon.

"He's so special and he's done so much for music and the city. I've always thought he was one of the funniest people in the world."

Image source, NailsBab

Rosie says it was one of the best days of her life.

"To be able to work there and be a little part of something so big and important for not only music but Birmingham as well," she says.

"To see all these rock and metal legends that were just floating around - it was incredible.

"I was more devastated than I thought I would be. It's devastating for his family and his friends and all the fans."

Christine Turner from Hodge Hill has been to the mural on Navigation Street in Birmingham to pay her respects.

"It's a sad morning," she told BBC Radio WM.

But Ms Turner has her own family connection to the heavy metal legend.

"My dad was born in February '47 and lived on Lodge Road, and as a kid growing up in the 50s, his best mate was called John Osbourne, who would grow up to be Ozzy," she said.

"He was my dad's best mate. We've been talking about him all morning. He's been part of the family."

Her dad told her about the connection when she was 17 and initially didn't believe him, until she asked her mum.

"I've dined off that for 29 years," she said.

The pair would play football near the Aston Villa ground back in the day and Ms Turner is wearing her Villa shirt today in memory of Ozzy.

When asked what her father said about what Ozzy was like, Ms Turner said: "Dad said he was great. He was a good kid, a good friend, he really was. They were thick as thieves."

These young fans are among the latest to arrive at the Black Sabbath bridge.

They've come to leave their home-made sign and flowers among the tributes left on the bench.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Earlier this month, more than 40,000 heavy metal fans made their way to Birmingham for what was described as "the greatest heavy metal show ever".

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward played together for the first time in 20 years. The Villa Park concert also saw performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Halestorm, Anthrax, Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler and more.

Image source, bbc

Shrines to Black Sabbath appear all over the city. Fans are now visiting them to pay their respects to singer Osbourne.

Find out where they are here.

Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders was on air last night when news broke about Ozzy Osbourne's death. He paid tribute to the Prince of Darkness by describing him as the front man of one of the most "important heavy metal bands".

Rachael Lewis
BBC Radio WM

There’s a sense of shock and sadness in Birmingham today.

Black Sabbath locations across the city are being visited by hundreds of fans paying their respects to one of their own, the Prince of Darkness.

I visited Aston this morning where Ozzy Osbourne grew up and first formed Black Sabbath alongside Bill Ward, Tonni Iommi and Geezer Butler.

His old childhood home is located on a terraced street, just five minutes walk from Villa Park.

This time three weeks ago, the area was starting to fill with excited fans ahead of the Back to the Beginning concert which was being held at the stadium.

Now, people will be visiting to pay their respects and honour Ozzy’s life.

On my way back into Birmingham, I saw several metal fans wearing band T-shirts, and others carrying flowers.

All heading into the city centre to reflect on the impact Ozzy had on so many lives, both here in his hometown, and across the globe.

Ben Hatton, chief operations officer at Villa Park who worked with the family to bring the 5 July concert to the stadium, said everyone at the club was "heartbroken".

Image source, Ross Halfin

"Eighteen days ago we all witnessed an historic night at Villa Park," he said.

"And to think we won't see them again, we won't see him again is heartbreaking."

A book of condolence will be opened at Villa Park "for Ozzy fans of Aston Villa to mark their respects."

Mervyn Purviss and wife Rosita travelled to Birmingham from Portsmouth earlier.

They said they felt like they wanted to be in the city as soon as they heard Tuesday's news of Ozzy Osbourne's death

The pair went straight to the Black Sabbath Bridge and took pictures, before going to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see The Working Class Hero exhibition, opened by Sharon Osbourne in June, and sign a book of condolence.

Mr Purviss says he plays the guitar because of Ozzy and saw Black Sabbath for the first time in 1972 when he was 14.

Since then, he has seen them perform five or six times - including once in Las Vegas - but didn't attend the last gig in Birmingham because of the cost of the tickets.

-"It’s so fitting that it ended where it started and you can really feel the ‘Summer of Sabbath’ in Brum," he said.

Before the Back to the Beginning gig on 5 July, fans queued to have their picture taken at the Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham.

Now they are the bridge to pay their respects to singer Ozzy Osbourne.

Gary Holbrook said he grew up with the music of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne.

"He grew up in a similar area to me and didn’t have the best of starts to his life but he’s was just an unbelievable person just fantastic," he said.

The news of Ozzy's death had left him shocked, he added.

The producers and director of an upcoming documentary about Ozzy Osbourne have paid tribute to the Black Sabbath star.

Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now was directed by Tania Alexander with Phil Alexander as one of the executive producers and they said they were heartbroken at the news.

Image source, PA Media

"Filming with him, Sharon, Aimee, Kelly and Jack for the last three-and-a-half years will always be a cherished and remarkable experience - largely because we got to regularly witness Ozzy's indomitable spirit, his mischievous, irresistible grin and his masterful display of unique one-liners.

"We will always love you dear Oz. And we send love and strength to Sharon and her family."

The documentary began filming in early 2022 and is set to air on Paramount+ later this year.

Musicians from around the globe have been paying their tributes to the artist.

"It's impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica," the band said in a statement on X. "Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind."

AC/DC, posted Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", while Sir Elton John, posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away.

"He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love."

Foo Fighters, wrote "Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun" without Osbourne while Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant said he had "truly changed the planet of rock".

Judas Priest posted: "Our hearts are broken like millions around the world – words can’t express the love and loss we are all feeling".