Ozzy Osbourne gave emotional final message to fans just weeks before he died

It's clear that much of the world is still in shock following Ozzy Osbourne's death on Tuesday (22 July).

While the Black Sabbath star's cause of death is yet to be confirmed, it was revealed by his family that he passed away 'surrounded by love' at the age of 76.

"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," a statement from his family shared last night.

"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."

Just a matter of weeks before his death, Osbourne, famously known as the 'Prince of Darkness' due to his heavy metal antics, issued an emotional final message to his adoring fans.

Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne passed away yesterday morning (22 July) (Dia Dipasupil / Staff / Getty Images)

He and his wife of over four decades, Sharon Osbourne, were expected to settle back in their Buckinghamshire home to coincide with the farewell gig, which took place earlier this month (5 July) at Villa Park in Birmingham - his hometown.

The venue was a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath first formed way back in 1968.

As he performed what would end up being his last gig, the 'Paranoid' singer said that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he entered the stage for the final time by rising on his large black throne through a trap door.

"It’s so good to be on this f*cking stage. You have no idea. I f*cking love you all. Let me see your hands in the air. You are the best, each and every one of you. God bless you all," he said.

Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi (Chris Walter / Contributor / Getty Images)

"I don’t know what to say, man. You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart," Osbourne told the adoring crowd as he explained how he'd been 'laid up' for six years.

He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease back in 2019.

"You’re all f****** special. Let’s go crazy, come on," he rounded off.

In a special reunion, Osbourne was joined by his fellow original Black Sabbath members - Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward - as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert which raised £140m for charity, according to the event's musical director Tom Morello.

The money was reported to be split between Birmingham Children's Hospital, Cure Parkinson's, and Midlands-based Acorns Children's Hospice.