Black Sabbath icon Ozzy Osbourne cancels tour and retires from live shows after major spinal injury

Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osborne has cancelled his coming tour dates and has announced he will be retiring from touring altogether. Credit: PA Images

Black Sabbath icon Ozzy Osborne has cancelled his upcoming European and UK tour dates and has officially announced he will be retiring from gigs.

The 74-year-old Birmingham-born star says his decision is based on a major spinal cord injury he experienced four years ago.

He says despite his voice being fine, his body is still physically weak and he is working with his team to come up with other ways to perform that don't include travelling the globe.

Ozzy Osborne has announced he is cancelling his tour and retiring from touring following ongoing physical injury

Osbourne had a fall at home in 2019 that aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003.

Since then, the 'Prince of Darkeness' has performed during the closing ceremony at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and an NFL game in the US in September.

Ozzy had been scheduled to perform at Resorts World Arena on Wednesday 14 June 2023 as part of his UK tour.

Ozzy Osbourne performing at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony Credit: PA Images

His emotional message said he "never would have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way".

He signed off: "I love you all."