Heartwarming reason behind Sharon Osbourne’s gesture to fans as she lays Ozzy to rest

Sharon Osbourne could be seen making a heartwarming gesture during a tribute to her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne, on Wednesday (30 July).

During a funeral procession on the streets of Birmingham today, Sharon could be seen looking visibly emotional as she paid tribute to Ozzy.

The Black Sabbath frontman passed away at the age of 76 last week.

A statement from his family read at the time: "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."

Ozzy Osbourne passed away on 22 July (Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

The Osbourne family arrived at the procession earlier today, where Sharon, 72, could be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal.

Joining her was her children - Aimee, Jack and Kelly - with each family member carrying a pink flower wrapped in black paper which they added to the display of floral tributes.

At one point, Sharon and the rest of the family could be seen raising their hands into a peace sign - which is a gesture that has always been associated with Ozzy.

One fan explained on Facebook: "Just an observation from a guy who has been a Sabbath/Ozzy fan since the 70s.

Sharon Osbourne could be seen making the gesture (BBC)

"Some will say I am nit picking and not respecting how others view things.

"But I am seeing a lot of posts and pictures of billboards with images of the devil horns hand sign. Now I know that sign has become the 'official' sign of rock and roll, but Ozzy's gesture has always been the double peace sign.

"It was Dio that did the horns and made them popular with rock and roll long after Ozzy had been doing the double peace signs. Let's all please remember just another one of the things that Ozzy brought us!"

At the procession, Ozzy's hearse was decorated with purple flowers that spelt out 'Ozzy'.

Meanwhile, musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs while flowers were thrown at the hearse as it passed by.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham spoke about what Ozzy meant to the city.

Sharon was accompanied by her children (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

He 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."