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In October Osbourne was forced to postpone a European tour for a second time, citing ongoing health problems
In October Osbourne was forced to postpone a European tour for a second time, citing continuing health problems. Photograph: PA
In October Osbourne was forced to postpone a European tour for a second time, citing continuing health problems. Photograph: PA

Ozzy Osbourne reveals Parkinson's diagnosis

This article is more than 4 years old

Black Sabbath frontman, 71, says 2019 was ‘most painful and miserable year’ of his life

Ozzy Osbourne has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after a year of health problems.

During an interview with Good Morning America, the Black Sabbath frontman described 2019 as the “most painful and miserable year” of his life. He said he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease after experiencing health complications, including needing surgery on his spine and neck, following a fall.

“I did my last show New Year’s Eve at the Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves and I found out that I have a mild form,” said Osbourne, 71, who reportedly dislodged metal rods that had been inserted in his body after a 2003 motorcycle accident.

The British musician was hospitalised for a staph infection in his right hand in 2018 and again a year later for pneumonia. In October, he was forced to postpone a European tour for a second time citing continuing health problems, but telling fans: “I’m not dying.”

His wife, Sharon Osbourne, 67, told the US breakfast programme that the diagnosis was “not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination”. She added: “It’s like you have a good day, a good day, and then a really bad day.”

Speaking to the show’s host, Robin Roberts, Osbourne said he was still taking numerous medications. “I’ve got numbness down this arm from surgery, my legs going cold,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s Parkinson’s or what. That’s the problem, because they cut my nerves when they did the surgery. It’s a weird feeling.”

More on this story

More on this story

  • Black Sabbath's Paranoid at 50: potent anthems of working-class strife

  • 'I'm not dying': Ozzy Osbourne delays European tour again

  • History of headbangers – Black Sabbath memorabilia on show

  • Ozzy Osbourne admitted to hospital for 'complications from flu'

  • Martin Birch, producer for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and more, dies aged 71

  • Black Sabbath farewell tour review – snarling rock and few words at The End

  • Every Black Sabbath album – ranked!

  • Black Sabbath return to top of album charts after 43 years

  • Ozzy Osbourne: ‘My problem, really, is I don’t remember I’m 70’ [He’s 69]

  • It’s not meant to end like this, Ozzy. You’re the Prince of Darkness

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