Archive July 5, 2025

Sharon Osbourne shares worrying Ozzy health update ahead of Black Sabbath farewell gig

Black Sabbath will perform for the final time at Villa Park today – and it could well be the last time we see frontman Ozzy Osbourne on stage after his health has rapidly declined

Sharon Osbourne offered a worrying health update on her husband Ozzy(Image: ABC via Getty Images)

Sharon Osbourne has given a concerning update on her husband Ozzy’s health as Black Sabbath gears up for their final performance at Villa Park today.

The band, widely recognised as the pioneers of heavy metal music, could be performing for the last time due to 76 year old Ozzy’s deteriorating health.

Sharon, who also manages Ozzy, had previously told him that his 2019 tour would be his swansong.

This was particularly pertinent as he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease midway through the tour.

Ozzy attributed an intermittent numbness in his leg to years of drug abuse and excessive drinking, reports Birmingham Live.

The European leg of the tour was postponed to allow Ozzy to recuperate at home. However, disaster struck when Ozzy “stupidly” decided to try “diving into bed”.

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Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath performing at the NEC, December 1st 1997.(Image: Redferns)

The rockstar hadn’t turned his light on and mistakenly thought he knew where his bed was, resulting in him crashing onto the floor.

According to Sharon, this accident exacerbated an old quadbike injury that Ozzy sustained in 2003.

He was rushed to intensive care and informed that he would need surgery or risk becoming paraplegic.

Ozzy described it as the “worst f***ing surgery you can imagine” and now regrets not seeking a second opinion on his injuries.

The operation involved placing two metal plates on either side of Ozzy’s spine, but the screws soon became loose, causing lesions and bone fragments.

Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath in 2011
Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath in 2011(Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“They still haven’t found out the damage, it’s so intricate,” Sharon Osbourne revealed about her husband Ozzy’s health struggles. She shared that they found another surgeon who worked to remove all of the metal from Ozzy’s spine.

She continued: “Five operations later, it just f***ed his body. It was torturous for him: Parkinson’s and damage to his spine. It’s just been horrendous. “

Despite his health issues, Ozzy has remained active in his career. He released the critically-acclaimed album Ordinary Man in 2020 and followed it up with Patient Number 9 in 2022.

In 2022, he performed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham alongside his Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi. However, the legendary frontman had to have a bracket supporting his back throughout the performance.

Known for his wild on-stage antics, including biting the head off a bat, Ozzy admitted he was at his lowest, “praying to die in his sleep” when Sharon suggested reuniting the original Sabbath line-up for a final gig. She also wanted to bring together bands that had been inspired by them.

Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium
Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium(Image: Getty Images)

Ozzy and Tony formed Black Sabbath along with drummer Bill Ward and bassist Geezer Butler in 1968. Some of the biggest names in rock, including Guns ‘n’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Alice in Chains, and Van Halen, signed up to play the gig, having been inspired by Sabbath.

With Metallica, Rage Against the Machine and members of Judas Priest joining the billing, the all-day show has been hailed by some as the greatest ever heavy metal line-up of all time.

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When discussing their upcoming performance, Sabbath members had mixed expectations. Tony Iommi joked that Ozzy Osbourne will probably be “sitting on a throne,” while Ozzy himself predicted it might just be a “couple of songs” from both the band and his solo ventures.

PHOTOS: Festac Residents Deplore Poor Amenities, Insecurity Within Estate

Members of the Take Back Festac movement on Saturday staged a peaceful walk to create awareness of the deplorable state of roads and other amenities within the estate.

Our correspondent on the ground reported that the aggrieved residents were seen walking along major roads within the estate, calling on the local, state, and federal governments to intervene in the matter.

Chairman of the Take Back Festac, Valentine Uduebo, lamented the “most terrible” state of the roads.

“Our raods are in the most terrible state. We got to work on foot. We want the intervention of the federal government. What is the Renewed Hope agenda for? Is it for only Abuja?   This estate is for the Federal Government and we wonder why it has been neglected! This place is now a safe haven for criminals, and whenvere it rained, we cant even walk on them anymore. It is terrible,” he lamented.

Valentine Uduebo, Chairman, Take Back Festac

Vice Chairman of Take Back Festac, Amuwo, Chief Williams Chima-Abuachi, also spoke with our correspondent on the deteriorating state of the estate facilities.

He also flagged the breakdown of security amenities inside the estate.

“Our demand and desires are not far-fetched. It is on the state of the poor maintenance of Festac and its environment, and the security challenges we have been facing.

“We have come to the agreement that all the persons who have chaired Festac have neglected the infrastructure which we all benefit. We are no political organisation. We are not supporting any party. Our goal is that whoever wants to govern Festac must prioritise the infrastructural development.

READ ALSO: ‘I Remain In PDP,’ Adeleke Dismisses Defection Speculations

‘Again, we have no security in Festac. Many people have left the estate because it is no longer safe. Okada riders are now the commanders in Festac, and everywhere is full of shanties.

Vice Chairman, Take Back Festac, Amuwo, Chief Williams Chima-Abuachi

“Unlike what Festac used to be- the estate has a taste. Wherever you mention Festac all over the world, people would be eager to listen to you. But today, we have lost a lot of personalities because of the poor road standards, infrastructure and poor maintenance culture here.

Lewis Capaldi sends emotional message to fans at Noah Kahan gig after Glastonbury

Lewis Capaldi made a surprise appearance at Noah Kahan’s gig at BST Hyde Park on Friday after wowing fans at Glastonbury last week following his break from the spotlight

Lewis Capaldi is back in the spotlight, where he belongs(Image: Getty Images)

Lewis Capaldi sent a tear-jerking message to fans at Noah Kahan’s gig in Hyde Park last night. The Scottish star, 28, who brought the house down singing Northern Attitude with Kahan – who has been vocal about his own mental health journey – is now back where he belongs after taking a break from the spotlight following a difficult few years.

Following his glittering return to Glastonbury last week after taking time out to focus on his mental health and ‘adjust’ to his Tourette’s diagnosis after he was left unable to finish his set back at Worthy Farm in 2023, Lewis told fans – who had no idea he would be performing at BST – he was glad to be back.

READ MORE: Noel Gallagher’s daughter gives 5-word verdict on Oasis gig after mum walks out

Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi made a surprise appearance at Noah Kahan’s gig at BST Hyde Park (Image: hitsradiouk/Tiktok)

The singer, who ran onto the stage in darkness before joining Kahan in the second verse of their song, told fans of his new track, Survive: “Survive is this week’s UK Number One, and I want to say a massive thank you to everybody who’s been streaming it, downloading it – it really means the world.”

Thanking the audience for their “outpouring of love”, he continued: “I’ve been away for a little while and to come back to this outpouring of love and support has been absolutely incredible.

“I can’t thank everybody enough for all the kind words since Glastonbury – and now this! It’s been the best week of my life. I hope you continue to enjoy the song, it means a lot to me. “

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After bringing fans to tears at Glastonbury last week, Lewis has shifted a whopping 68,500 Survive records in its first week, including more than four million streams, surpassing the much-loved singer’s previous best of 56,000 with the 2022 song Forget Me.

The musician, who has spoken openly about having been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, heartbreakingly had to pull out of Glastonbury two years ago as he told fans: “I’m still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order.”

Noah Kahan
Noah played Northern Attitude with Lewis(Image: Getty)

Lewis issued an update later that year in which he said: “I’m currently taking some time off to focus on my health and wellbeing and it’s been going great! “

Following his epic comeback last week, it has now been announced that Lewis will embark on a UK and Ireland tour later this year.

The news was shared on June 30 and it’s been revealed that the star will perform ten shows in cities including Manchester and Glasgow.

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The new tour, which will be Lewis’ first headline tour in more than two years, will kick off in Sheffield on September 7 and is scheduled to conclude in Dublin on September 29.

The Hold Me While You Wait star will visit a host of other cities in between those two dates, including two nights at the O2 in London. He will also visit venues in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Cardiff.

READ MORE: Kickers’ ‘durable’ Back to School shoe range that ‘last all year’

Lions toil in unimpressive win against Waratahs

Getty Images
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New South Wales Waratahs (5) 10

Tries: Lancaster, Dobbins

British and Irish Lions (14) 21

Huw Jones scored two tries as the error-ridden British and Irish Lions stumbled to an unconvincing victory against an understrength Waratahs side in Sydney.

Both of the Scotland centre’s tries came in the opening half and Fin Smith converted each time to put the Lions into a 14-0 lead.

Waratahs wing Darby Lancaster responded just before half-time and hooker Ethan Dobbins barged over just after the break to make it a four-point game.

The Lions were playing frantically and without accuracy, but did find their range through the impressive Alex Mitchell, who dummied his way over for the tourists’ third try midway through the second half.

Smith made it three from three with the boot but the disjointed Lions could not build on the cushion.

Darby Lancaster breaks free from Hugo Keenan's attempted tackle to score for the WaratahsGetty Images

As was the case in Perth on Wednesday, there was a late change for the Lions, Henry Pollock withdrawing with a tight calf as a precaution.

That resulted in captain Tadhg Beirne moving from lock to blindside flanker, with Scott Cummings promoted from the bench.

Duhan van der Merwe was brought into the 23 for an unexpected chance.

In many ways it was a repeat of what had gone before with the 2025 Lions, with lots of possession, lots of promising field position but not nearly enough to show for it.

The mistake count was off the scale. The amount of dropped balls and turnovers lost was concerning for a team that is now four games into the tour and with the Test series looming large in just two weeks’ time.

They had the Waratahs scrum in trouble for much of the evening – a rare positive – but their handling errors checked their progress and their discipline weakened badly.

At times it felt as if they were firing it around indiscriminately with little thought about building pressure and momentum. Against a notably weakened Waratahs side, it was pretty underwhelming.

The Lions had made a promising start when Sione Tuipulotu came up as first receiver and found his Scotland and Glasgow midfield partner Jones on his shoulder.

Alex Mitchell scores Getty Images

Despite that good start, there was a desperation to the Lions’ play that led to errors. They were lateral and error-prone – and with each bout of angst, the Waratahs’ belief started to rise.

Midway through the first half they set up camp in the Lions 22, one penalty giving way to another then another. In that passage the tourists were penalised four times, but escaped a yellow card. The majority of the crowd inside Allianz Stadium did not approve, to say the least.

The Waratahs thought they had punished the Lions when Charlie Gamble blasted over in the corner, but the home side were penalised for obstruction. It was another lucky escape for the Lions following the avoidance of yellow card.

Jones got his second try when the siege was lifted – his lovely footwork from close range taking him outside his defender. Smith’s conversion put a gloss on the scoreboard, which read 14-0 to the Lions.

That did not last. The next time the Waratahs had a chance, they took it. Taniela Tupou and Rob Leota did brilliantly in the lead-up as they put Lancaster in down the left.

Keenan, in an awful moment on a rough night for the Ireland full-back, missed his tackle and Lancaster scored. The try was a touch fortunate. It looked as if Mack Hansen had been taken out illegally earlier in the move.

They struck again early in the second half when hooker Dobbins got on the end of a rumble and reached out to score. Again, the Waratahs failed with the extras, which was just as well for the Lions. They were leading 14-10 but toiling badly.

Mitchell, who was excellent, dummied his way over for the Lions’ third after the Waratahs made a mess of a tap penalty.

Mitchell was clinical in taking his chance and Smith added the conversion.

Things were beginning to look a little more like it but then the error mountain came again. Turnover upon turnover, scattergun stuff after scattergun stuff.

Owen Farrell joined the Lions for the first time after arriving in Australia as a replacement for Elliot DalyGetty Images

Line-ups

NSW Waratahs: Creighton; Kellaway, Foketi, Walton, Lancaster; Bowen, Wilson; Lambert, Dobbins, Tupou, Lee-Warner, Amatosero, Leota, Gamble, Sinclair.

Replacements: Vailanu, Barrett, Botha, Philip, Adamson, Grant, Edmed, O’Donnell.

British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Kinghorn; Smith, Mitchell; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Bealham, Cummings, Ryan, Beirne, Van der Flier, Earl.

Match officials

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (New Zealand)

Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Related topics

  • Scottish Rugby
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Rugby Union

Family And Football Unite To Bid Diogo Jota Farewell

Close family and friends and stars of the world of football will gather Saturday for the funeral of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother 48 hours after the siblings’ car crash.

Jota, 28, and Andre Silva, 25, were killed on Thursday after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northwestern Spain and became engulfed in flames, a week after the Portugal forward had got married.

The funeral, which begins at 0900 GMT, is being held in his hometown of Gondomar, near Porto.

The service will be conducted by the bishop of Porto, local media report.

People stand behind the gate of the cemetery during the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP)
An attendee holds a portrait of late football player Andre Silva during the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)
Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso (C) follows the coffin of Portuguese football player Diogo Jota carried out of the church after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP)

Among those who came to offer their condolences were a childhood friend, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes and Porto club president Andre Villas-Boas.

“Football is truly in mourning. Diogo was an icon of the talent Portuguese football represents,” said football federation chief Pedro Proenca.

Former teammates step out of the church after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)
AC Milan’s Portuguese forward Joao Felix (R) leaves after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)
Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk carries a wreath during the funerals of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)

‘Rest in peace’

Mourners arrived carrying wreaths of flowers, some sobbing audibly, before the wake was opened to members of the public.

The death of the Portugal international and his brother has triggered an outpouring of emotion in football, and beyond.

Liverpool opened a book of condolences and lowered flags to half-mast, with dozens of supporters laying a sea of flowers, balloons, Jota shirts, and scarves with the message “Rest in peace Diogo Jota”,  outside Anfield.

At the Diogo Jota football academy, close to Gondomar SC where the ex-Porto and Atletico Madrid player took his first steps in the game, well-wishers created a memorial with flowers, scarves, candles and shirts.

Portugal’s national football team coach Spanish Roberto Martinez leaves after the funerals of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)
Wreath in shape of football jerseys are displayed at the entrance of the cemetery after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP)
(From L) Portuguese football players Danilo Pereira, Bruno Fendrich and Andre Horta attend the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)
Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot (C) steps out of the church after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.   (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)

Pedro Neves, who was friends with Jota at school in Gondomar, said he “will remember him as someone who was very friendly, very courteous, who loved everyone, who always had a smile on his face”.

“He left us too young, it’s not fair. But that’s how life is sometimes,” Neves, 31, told AFP.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who brought Jota to the Reds in 2020, has said he was “heartbroken” while the club spoke of an “unimaginable loss”.

Jota was remembered at the Club World Cup in the United States on Friday, with a one-minute silence held at the quarter-final between Brazil’s Fluminense and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in Orlando.

Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah said the death of his teammate had left him “frightened” to return to the club as the Premier League champions postponed the return of some players for pre-season training.

Oasis setlist – best loved tracks snubbed on the tour as fans react

After the first triumphant show in Cardif you can read the set list in full and see the songs missing from live tour

Wonderwall may be a sore subject for Meg, as Noel had originally claimed he’d written it on a rainy Tuesday night for his girlfriend(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The Oasis Live tour setlist is an epic collection of their biggest hits – but there are some great tracks missing too.

Fans who weren’t at Cardiff but are heading to see the band in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin were also looking to see which songs had made the cut.

They will see that the band, including frontman Liam Gallagher, played only songs from the Nineties, with nothing from their later albums.

Amongst those missing which are popular amongst fans are Columbia, Lyla, Go Let It Out, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, The Importance Of Being Idle and the Beatles classic I Am The Walrus, which the band sometimes play as an encore.

Commenting on the set list, Paul Johnson said on X: “There’s absolute bangers they left out. ”

Mick Went 57 said: “Good but no Colombia? Def in their top 5 imo.”

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The actual set list was 23 songs long with many fan favourites including Slide Away, Supersonic, Whatever, Don’t Look Back In Anger and Stand By Me.

It was estimated more than 100,000 people travelled to Cardiff on Friday, with some hoping to get a last minute ticket or just to be there to celebrate in the pubs and bars as they parties late into the night with Oasis songs played on loop.

READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour – how to buy yours if you missed out

Fans Lachlan Weekes and Jayden Helm, who spent more than a day travelling from Sydney, Australia, to attend the concert in the Welsh capital, were among fans gathering ahead of the gig.

Mr Weekes said: “We’ve been planning it forever. We always said that if they got back together, we’d be at that first show. “

Mr Helm said: “We’ve been lifelong fans – we’re 22 and 21, so haven’t really had a chance to see them before.

“We always said it was worth it to come, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he added.

“To take time off work to come over here, it’s more than worth it. “

The pair also visited Manchester, where the band formed in 1991, stopping off at Heaton Park as part of their personal Oasis tour.

The brothers announced the Oasis Live ’25 tour last August, starting with two dates in Cardiff on Friday and Saturday, before heading across the UK and Ireland.

In the tour programme Noel reflected on playing with Oasis and his brother, saying: “People will never forget the way you made them feel. ”

He also mused about why so many people of all ages tried to get tickets for the Oasis Live 25 tour.

Noel said: “A new generation recognises how Oasis wasn’t manufactured. It was chaotic, and flawed, and not technically brilliant. We were rough and ready guys from a rehearsal room, and people recognised it. ”

The full set list from the opening show in Cardiff on Friday night was:

Hello

Acquiesce

Morning Glory

Some Might Say

Bring It on Down

Cigarettes & Alcohol

Fade Away

Supersonic

Roll With It

Talk Tonight (sung by Noel)

Half the World Away (sung by Noel)

Little By Little (sung by Noel)

D’You Know What I Mean?

Stand By Me

Cast No Shadow

Slide Away

Whatever

Live Forever

Rock ’n’ Roll Star

Encore

The Masterplan (sung by Noel)

Don’t Look Back in Anger (sung by Noel)

Wonderwall

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