Ozzy Osbourne has announced his retirement from touring and cancelled all upcoming European and UK Show dates, saying he is "too weak" to perform.
The Black Sabbath frontman told fans in an emotional message that following extensive spinal surgery he is not "physically capable" of performing at his tour dates in Europe and the UK. The rock star fell at home in 2019, aggravating injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003.
"Never would I have imagined my touring days would end this way", he told his fans in a social media statement, while also confirming all the upcoming dates on his Europe and UK tour, which was due to start in Finland this May, would be cancelled. The shows had already been postponed on several occasions due to the original accident and the pandemic.
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The message shared on Instagram and Twitter on Wednesday read: “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."
Osbourne said that while his singing voice is "fine", after three operations, stem cell treatments, physical therapy sessions and Cybernics ( HAL) Treatment, his body is still "physically" weak.
He added: “I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held on to your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience I have now come to the realisation 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**** ME UP, more than you will ever know. 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."
Concluding the post, the singer thanked his fans, band, crew, long-time friends, and the band Judas Priest "for their endless dedication, loyalty and support", and for giving him the "life I never ever dreamed I would have".
Osbourne, who's real name is John Osbourne was widely known throughout his career as the "Prince of Darkness" and for lead vocalist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, which was formed in 1969. As well as his music career, the singer has also appeared on fly-on-the-wall TV show, The Osbornes, alongside his with Sharon and children.
Last year, the rock star performed during the closing ceremony at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and an NFL game in the US in September. In the same month, the rockers latest album. Patient Number 9, was released and reached number two in the charts.
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