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'I never imagined it would end this way':
Ozzy Osbourne, 74,
announces retirement from touring and cancels all remaining shows
after spinal surgery and amid Parkinson's battle




Ozzy Osbourne has retired from touring and cancelled all his upcoming shows while he recovers
from spinal surgery.

The 74-year-old rocker was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago and has been
battling various health problems in recent years.

He had been due to kick off his European tour in May, originally set for 2019 and then
rescheduled three times, but it has now officially been cancelled along with any more dates
in the future.

Ozzy's last tour show was in December 2018, where he performed at Ozzfest in Inglewood as
part of farewell tour, No More Tours II.




End of an era: Ozzy Osbourne has retired from touring and cancelled all his
upcoming shows while he recovers from spinal surgery
(pictured in September)



In a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday, the Black Sabbath rocker apologised for 'disappointing'
his fans and admitted 'never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.'

He confessed that he was still struggling with health problems seven months after undergoing spinal
surgery that saved him from paralysis and amid his ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease.

He explained: 'This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans.
As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine.

'My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine.
However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most
recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.'




Aide: Ozzy was pictured leaning on a friend as he arrived at a fitness class in Los Angeles
last Thursday seven months after having spinal surgery that saved him from paralysis



Ozzy continued: 'I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for
all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically
capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel
required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really F***S ME UP,
more than you will ever know.'

He continued: 'Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.
My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to
travel from city to city and country to country.

'I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, @JudasPriest, and of
course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that
I never ever dreamed I would have.

'I love you all… Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.'








Sad news: In a heartfelt post,  the Black Sabbath rocker apologised for 'disappointing' his fans
and admitted 'never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way'





Ozzy confessed:  'In all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that
I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates'
(pictured in July 2022)



Ozzy previously told he could be paralysed for life after undergoing his first spinal surgery in 2019.

Months after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 he suffered a horror fall that aggravated
a neck injury from his 2003 quad bike accident.

The injury triggered previous nerve damage from his quad bike accident 17 years ago, where he
fractured eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck on his English country estate.





Iconic: Ozzy rose to fame as the vocalist of pioneering rock group Black Sabbath,
and has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide
(pictured in 1996)










He underwent spinal surgery which left him with 15 screws in his back, nerve pain in his
neck, back, shoulders and arms, and the star fearing getting 'bolts in his neck.'

Last year he underwent a further two more operations, the most recent of which took place in June,
with Ozzy saying: 'Thank God I found the right surgeon who knows how to deal with spinal problems.
He had to cut nerves and you have to take f*****g nerve-pain pills, but I am getting better.'

The Black Sabbath hitmaker returned to the stage in August in his hometown of Birmingham for
the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony - just two months after the 'life-altering surgery'.





End of an era: Ozzy's last tour show was in December 2018, where he performed at Ozzfest
in Inglewood as part of farewell tour, No More Tours II
(pictured backstage with wife Sharon)



The Paranoid hitmaker discussed his current health while appearing on his own Ozzy’s Boneyard
channel on SiriusXM last month, with the star saying of touring: 'It is so f*****g tough because,
I mean, I want to be out there.

'I want to be doing it. This f*****g surgery this guy did. F*****g hell, you have no idea.”

'The thing is my head is all right, my creativity is OK, my singing OK but I just can’t f*****g
walk much now.”

'I can’t begin to tell you how f*****g frustrating life has become. It is amazing how you go along
in life and one stupid thing can screw everything up for a long time.
I have never been ill this long in my life.





On tour: Ozzy's last tour show was in December 2018, where he performed at Ozzfest
in Inglewood as part of farewell tour, No More Tours II
(pictured in September)



'That surgeon told me if I didn’t have the surgery there would be a good chance I would be
paralyzed from the neck down.'

Ozzy rose to fame as the vocalist of pioneering rock group Black Sabbath, and has sold more
than 100 million albums worldwide.

His fame increased still further thanks to MTV's warts-and-all reality show The Osbournes,
featuring his children and his wife and manager, Sharon.





Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads




Black Sabbath
Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne