Everything you need to know about Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne's funeral cortège today
Birmingham will say goodbye to one of its icons today.
It's been more than a week since the death of Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne at the age of 76.
Now the city will come together later today, as the music icon's funeral cortège will make it's way through the city.
We have all the details here about the cortège and also where you can watch it here.
Thousands of people are expected to descend on the area to pay their respects and share their love for The Prince of Darkness.
Many have already expressed their sorrow and thousands of people have left tributes at the Black Sabbath Bridge.
Here at ITV News Central we have pulled together everything you need to know about the event and what it will mean for the city and beyond.
What is happening during the funeral cortège?
The city's Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, made the announcement about the event yesterday (Tuesday, July 29) and the procession is expected to be attended by Ozzy's family.
It will be pausing at the Black Sabbath bench and bridge, at around 1pm as it makes its way along Broad Street to allow fans to pay their respects. The funeral service itself will be private.
The cortège will be accompanied by a live brass band performance by musicians from Bostin' Brass, bringing a final musical moment to honour the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne.
A number of road closures will be in place around the city.
What route will the funeral cortège take?
The cortege will travel down Broad Street from approximately 1pm towards the Black Sabbath Bridge.
Broad Street will be closed to through traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted during this time. Broad is expected to be busy as people make their way to the street to see the procession.
Access will be managed where possible, but can not be guaranteed. Broad Street will re-open as soon as possible after the event.
Stewards will be on hand and visitors are encouraged to arrive early, use public transport, and follow safety guidance on site.
Can I watch it anywhere else?
For those not able to make the occasion, the live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue to operate and is accessible.
What does Ozzy Osbourne mean to Birmingham?
Councillor Zafar Iqbal, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, said: 'Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham.
"Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.
"We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.'
Tributes laid at Black Sabbath Bridge
Ozzy is certainly known for being eccentric and his legacy has inspired his fans to truly be themselves.
And that can certainly be seen in the wide range of tributes left to him across the city.
At the Black Sabbath bridge in Broad Street in Birmingham, fans have left signed guitars, toy bats, t-shirts and even watermelons.
Beers, whiskies, and lighters are right next to flowers and cards with heartfelt words.
The band members on the bench are draped in Aston Villa scarves and memorabilia.
Black Sabbath are famously from Aston, and it was only three weeks ago that they performed their final show together there "Back to the Beginning".
Notes also surround the bridge in all languages from Ozzy's international fans from around the world.
One of the most visible ones is a sign tied to flowers. It says "od Grzeska z redzina", which is "From friends and family" in Polish.
'He's amazing, I love him'
Among those paying tribute is schoolgirl Eliza Finn-O'Shea.
She's a huge metal head and Black Sabbath fan who has been to the bridge three times to pay her respects. She plans on coming back again for the procession today.
She said: "I'm going to come here tomorrow because I want to support Sharon, because two years ago I met her at the Ozzy Ball and she was absolutely lovely to me.
"He's amazing and I love him and his songs. Ozzy is Birmingham."
At the newly made Black Sabbath mural opposite Birmingham New Street Station, fans there loved Ozzy for his attitude.
One said: "What I loved about Ozzy and Black Sabbath is that it really gives you this feeling to live your life true to yourself and don't care what you think and follow other people's rules - which Ozzy clearly never did."
One child at the mural even donated one of his bat teddies to be placed next to the Ozzy mural.
They said: "I was very sad. It was one of his teddies but he wanted to donate it for Ozzy."
Black Sabbath legacy
When announcing his death his family said: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.'
Thousands of people have since signed a petition calling for the city's airport to be renamed in memory of the heavy metal legend.
Ozzy and his fellow Black Sabbath band members were recently given the Freedom of the City on June 28, 2025.
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