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Ozzy Osbourne fans have been left feeling ‘conflicted’ after watching the rock star’s final performance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham amid his ongoing health battles

Ozzy Osbourne fans have been left divided over the legendary rocker’s final performance this evening. Ozzy, 76, took to the stage in Birmingham on a throne to perform five songs during Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning farewell gig in his hometown.

But some fans watching in the crowd and on the live stream were left feeling uneasy over seeing their idol perform amid his multiple health battles.

Ozzy’s fans have declared it is an end of an era as he performs his final show. His health issues became clear to fans as they helped him get through the set.

It left Rakkan, from Saudi Arabia but travelled from London, saying: “I’m conflicted. He’s obviously enjoying himself but it’s sad to see him in this physical state. It feels like an end of an era. “

READ MORE: Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne makes four-word comment as he appears for final time

Over on Twitter, one fan wrote: “Feel a bit sorry for Ozzy being wheeled out like that. He clearly isn’t fit and well.” “I feel bad for Ozzy. Yeah it’s his last ever live show but it’s kinda gross how a visibly unwell man is being wheeled out like this by Sharon,” another mused.

A third wrote: “Very sad, Ozzy in a goth wheel chair.” However, some loved it. “As much as I am against this final Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath show, the videos I’ve seen on Twitter and Youtube, Ozzy sounds a lot better than I expected,” one declared online.

Ozzy had warned fans last month that he “may be sitting down” for his final performance at Villa Park because of health problems as Black Sabbath were awarded the freedom of Birmingham.

Founding members of the heavy metal band – formed in the city in 1968 – were presented with scrolls and medals at a ceremony at the weekend.

Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward were recognised for their significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham and as pioneers of heavy metal in the city and beyond.

The band recorded eight albums selling more than 75 million copies worldwide, and are preparing for their Back To The Beginning farewell show on July 5.

Ozzy said as he collected the honour that the reunion concert was conceived by his wife Sharon. The band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Speaking at the freedom of the city ceremony, Osbourne said: “I first put an advert in a music store in town. If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.

“It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham forever! “

Butler said: “This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston. We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”

Iommi added: “It’s a great thing to receive. Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful. ”

Ward said: “It’s completely overwhelming. I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude.

“I was blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy . They’re my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much. ”

Each band member received the title of honorary freeman, and an engraving of their names on the Freedom of the City marble board was unveiled at the ceremony.

The scrolls were produced by local company Hilton Studios and the medals were produced by Jewellery Quarter-based business Fattorini.

The medal was designed by competition winner Toby Williams, a student at the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University.

Noel Gallagher has told the crowd inside Cardiff’s Principality Stadium just who was the reason behind him finally ending his feud with brother Liam Gallagher and getting Oasis back together

The Gallagher brothers have let slip the real reason they got the band back together. During Oasis’ second night performing at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Noel Gallagher revealed who was behind him finally ending his bitter feud with brother Liam Gallagher.

Oasis mania has swept the UK once again but it wasn’t too long ago that it was unimageable that we’d ever see Noel and Liam on stage together following a dramatic fallout in 2009.

The reunion announcement last year came 15 years after Noel quit the Manchester band, saying he “simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer”, after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

But speaking on stage this evening, Noel was overcome with emotion at times as he shared the stage with his brother once again. On night two of the show, Noel took a moment to give a shout out to Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs when the group returned for an encore.

READ MORE: Oasis LIVE: Noel Gallagher reveals real reason band reunited as night two comes to an end

He said: “On guitar, if it wasn’t for him, none of this would have happened! “

Noel and Liam swaggered on to the stage before waving at concertgoers at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, the first stop on their long-awaited worldwide reunion tour.

The brothers, who had not performed together since their dramatic split in 2009, blasted through their setlist, kicking off with Hello, from their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

During the gig, the lead singer apologised to fans for how long it had taken for them to reunite. Liam spoke to the audience several times throughout the set, saying: “Hello people, it’s been too long,” before their third song, (What’s the Story).

Before launching into Cigarettes And Alcohol, Liam demanded the audience embrace, telling fans to turn around and hug a stranger.

He said: “Right then beautiful people, I want to see you all turn around and put your arms round each other. And when the tune starts, jump up and f****** down. “

Both brothers made joking references to the dynamic pricing scandal, which caused outrage among fans trying to buy tickets for shows in the UK and Ireland, with some standard tickets appearing to jump from £148 to £355. The controversy prompted the Government and the UK’s competition watchdog to pledge to look at the use of dynamic pricing.

After Liam walked off stage following Roll With It, Noel took over singing duties for the first time. He quoted the audience a price the gig was worth, before saying: “It’s just gone up. ” Later, Liam said: “Was it worth the £40,000 you paid for a ticket? “

During the final bars of Live Forever, a picture of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool footballer who died in a car accident on Thursday, was displayed, and the crowd cheered and applauded the gesture.

As they broke into fan-favourite Champagne Supernova, their final song of the evening, the lead singer said: “Right you beautiful people, this is it. Nice one for putting up with us over the years, we know we’ve been difficult. Champagne Supernova, nice one. “

While the brothers shared no banter on stage throughout the gig, they very briefly high-fived and half-hugged each other’s shoulders after their closing track.

Oasis was supported by fellow 90s group Cast and former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. Cast, an indie rock band from Liverpool, also paid tribute to Diogo Jota, dedicating their top 10 hit Walkaway to the footballer.

Oasis singer Noel Gallagher’s ex-wife, Meg Mathews, was in attendance at the reunion gig in Cardiff on Friday evening

Oasis took to the stage for their first performance in 16 years on Friday night, with the band’s family, friends and army of fans rushing to get the best view of Liam and Noel Gallagher at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Noel’s ex-wife, Meg Mathews, was spotted on Friday cheering for her ex.

She was seen arriving yesterday, with a source telling the Mirror : “After posting about her ex-husband for weeks, Meg Mathews had a prime seat for watching the band. She was in great spirits before the set, watching Richard Ashcroft with pals. ” However, she was seen making a swift exit before the encore and was seen departing the show before the band came back to sing some of their biggest songs including Don’t Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova.

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

Meg shared several clips of the concert, writing “What a night” over an official video of the crowd. On Saturday evening, she took to her Instagram Stories to share a video of her and Noel embracing each other.

Along with a heart emoji, she wrote: “Love you nai nai. ” Not long after, Meg returned to post a snap of her posing with her dog as she revealed to fans she returned to her home in Cornwall.

Meg might be back home, but Noel still has the support of his girlfriend Sally Mash, who was spotted at the VIP section of the stadium this evening.

Noel and Sally have kept their relationship lowkey after they began their relationship almost two year ago following his split from second wife Sara MacDonald back in 2022 after 12 years of marriage.

Sally runs a private members’ club in Chelsea, west London, and previously sells luxury holidays to a list of rich clients.

She once worked for a company that chartered private jets and handled VIPS for the Queens Park Rangers.

Noel briefly discussed his relationship with her to The Sun’s Bizarre column, saying: “She’s a good woman. She doesn’t show up often, but it was nice to see her [at the Royal Albert Hall].

“She says she sees a steely look in my eyes. She’s looked into my eyes countless times down the years.

“I’ve punched above my weight several times in my life, and I think if you can make a girl laugh the battle is more than won. “

He added: “I mean, when you drop your trousers, you’d rip them off and show them the little nubbin of fury. If they do laugh, you’re halfway there for a peck on the nubbin. “

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

Kneecap were supporting Fontaines DC at Finsbury Park, London, and discussed Liam Og O hAnnaidh’s upcoming court date and events in the Middle East during their time on stage

Next month will see “the second time Kneecap have beat the British Government in court”, the Irish rap trio said at their largest gig to date.

The 45,000-strong crowd in Finsbury Park, London watched them walk on in front of a screen that said “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people”.

They were supporting Irish band Fontaines DC, whose front man Grian Chatten joined to perform their collaboration Better Way To Live.

People echoed the Belfast group’s chants when they repeated the “f*** Keir Starmer” and “you’re just a s*** Jeremy Corbyn” comments made at Glastonbury the previous weekend.

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this month charged with a terror offence and will return next month.

Fellow member Naoise O Caireallain, who uses the stage name Moglai Bap, said “if anyone’s free on the 20th of August, you wanna go to the court and support Mo Chara” before shouting “free Mo Chara, free, free Mo Chara”.

Wearing a keffiyeh, O hAnnaidh responded: “I appreciate it, the 20th of August is going to be the second time Kneecap have beat the British Government in court – in their own court, on their own terms, and we’re going to beat them for the second time. I tell you what, there is nothing like embarrassing the British Government. ”

Last year Kneecap won a discrimination challenge over a decision by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award.

The UK Government conceded it was “unlawful” after the band launched legal action claiming the decision to refuse the grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationality and political opinion.

It was agreed that the £14,250 sum would be paid by the Government to the group.

During the performance the group intermittently broke off the mosh pits and raucous crowd by addressing the war in Gaza, which is a recurring theme of their shows.

O hAnnaidh said: “It’s usually around this point of the gig that we decide to talk about what’s happening in Palestine.

“I understand that it’s almost inhumane that I’m thinking of new things to say on stage during a genocide, for sound bites.

“It’s beyond words now, like, we always used to say obviously they’re being bombed from the skies with nowhere to go, but it’s beyond that now.

“They’ve been being starved for a few months on end, and not only that, the areas that they have set up, to collect aid and food, have turned into killing fields and they’re killing hundreds a day trying to collect food. ”

He continued: “It’s beyond words, but again, we played in Plymouth last night to 750 people and we did the same thing, so it doesn’t matter how big or small our audience is, Kneecap will always use the platform for talking about this. ”

O Caireallain had said earlier in the show: “They can try and silence us, they can try and stop us, but we’re not going to stop talking about Palestine – as long as there’s a genocide happening in Palestine we’re going to keep talking about it and yous are going to keep talking about it, and they can’t stop us. ”

The UN human rights office has recorded 613 killings near humanitarian convoys and at aid distribution points in Gaza run by an Israeli-backed American organisation since it began operations in late May.

On Friday its spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the rights office was not able to attribute responsibility for the killings, but “it is clear that the Israeli military has shelled and shot at Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points” operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The GHF has denied any serious injuries or deaths on its sites and says shootings outside their immediate vicinity are under the purview of Israel’s military.

The Israeli military has said previously it fires warning shots to control crowds or at Palestinians who approach its troops.

Singer Jessie J is continuing to share thoughtful reflections on her recent breast cancer surgery as she updates fans amid her recovery from the procedure

Singer Jessie J has shared an emotional update as she continues to recover from breast cancer surgery. The Price Tag singer announced in June that she had been diagnosed with early breast cancer and that she would be undergoing treatment.

The artist, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, and her partner Chanan Safir Colman, had a son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in May 2023. In a message to fans shortly after having her operation, the former Voice UK judge admitted she was missing being “an active mum/human.”

On Saturday, Jessie took to her Instagram Stories to reflect on her diagnosis two weeks on from surgery. “2 weeks post surgery. Had my drain out 2 nights ago. She said breathe in and take a hard breathe out. She whipped that thang out so quick. Woii oii. Weirdest feeling. But so nice to have it out after 12 days,” she wrote.

“Now it’s just me and my wonky boobs trying to figure out how to dress until I match them up. The left one is looking at me like ‘you ok babe? ‘ Also my experience was when I was diagnosed I went into survival mode.

‘There was so much going on with appointments and in my mind esp with a toddler I had just moved and was about to start this campaign after 8 years away. Mad.

“I didn’t really have a lot of time to process what was happening or what was going to happen. So I’m currently experiencing some delayed sadness and frustration by having time to process what IS happening. “

Jessie continued: “A little disappointed in myself I didn’t say goodbye to my old boob enough. Sounds silly but that’s where I’m at. Again that’s my journey. I’m sure others feel different.

“But for me I didn’t think beyond the surgery. I was just being strong. Well now I’m here and letting myself be angry and sad and all the things. Just for a few days. Then I will sew some padding in a bra to even them out order some t-shirts and crack tf on. “

Last month, the mum-of-one revealed she had stopped taking pain medication, saying it is “just not my thing”. A social media update from the star featured a picture of Jessie’s wound drain, a tube which helps remove excess fluid or blood that can accumulate after surgery.

She asked her followers: “Anyone else who has had this, did you feel like you are walking around one of those dog / duck toys. I carry mine on the floor when I’m home so the gravity can help the drain. Hoping it’s out by the end of the week. “

The artist has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.

The Domino singer said she is “feeling positive and grateful”, and asked fans not to worry if she “seems a little out of it” in public.

“If you do see me out, sitting in a park or coming out of a doctor’s appointment or eating or walking or anything, and I seem a little out of it. I am,” Jessie said. “It’s not personal. I don’t have what I usually have to give energy wise, understandably. I will get there. It’s a slow road. “

Tickets for the Black Sabbath Back to the Beginning concert were snapped up in a flash, but those unable to attend Villa Park today can still catch all the action online.

The entire event will be broadcast via a ‘live stream’ – albeit not in real time. Event organisers have confirmed a two-hour delay between the start of the gig and the commencement of the stream.

The concert kicks off at Villa Park at 1pm, with the online action starting at 3pm. Access to the gig costs £24. 99, which you can pay for here. With taxes of £5. 60 and a service charge of £3, the total cost comes to £33. 59, with all proceeds going towards three selected charities.

On the site with the link to purchase the stream, Back to the Beginning write: “This is the official global all-day livestream of the sold-out event – Back to the Beginning.

“Tune in to celebrate the true creators of heavy metal – witness Ozzy Osbourne play his own set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow, and the band’s first performance in 20 years.

“Back to the Beginning will feature sets from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon and Rival Sons.

“The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E. Lee, KK Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token II (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) and Zakk Wylde. (Lineup subject to change).

“You may not be at Villa Park, but you’ll feel every moment like you are. This is a premium, pay-per-view rock theatre — live, loud, and unforgettable. “

Back to the Beginning will showcase performances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera and more, culminating in sets from Ozzy and Black Sabbath.

This marks the band’s first performance in two decades and signifies Ozzy’s final bow from live performances.

Organisers stated: “In order for Ozzy fans around the world to experience this monumental event, the livestream will be delayed two hours from the in-arena start time. “

The stream will begin: 3:00pm BST (British Summer Time), 10:00am EDT, 7:00am PDT. Stream opens 30 minutes prior to start.

Stage times appear to have been leaked online, sparking excitement among fans eager to see how the day will unfold.

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