It was the send off that Ozzy Osbourne had hoped for, if some time before he and his loved ones expected.

The Black Sabbath star died on Tuesday aged 76, surrounded by his wife Sharon and their children after a battle with Parkinson's.

A heartbreaking statement released by the family said: '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. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.'

Sources close to the family say that his passing was 'unexpected to be this soon' but that his children were so grateful to have been around him in his last days after he performed his final gig just over two weeks ago.

Heavy metal hellraiser Ozzy, known to legions of fans as The Prince of Darkness, passed away at the Buckinghamshire mansion where his wife Sharon - a former X Factor judge - had spent at least two years preparing for his final moments.

The Mail can also reveal that daughters Aimee, 41, and Kelly, 40, were there to care for him as recently as last week after flying in from Los Angeles.

Son Jack, 39, also had flown from his home in Idaho to watch his beloved father at his last concert at Aston Villa's stadium Villa Park on July 5.

A friend of the family said on Tuesday night: 'Ozzy was always meant to come back to Britain to live in Buckinghamshire, it was where Sharon had spent so long preparing their family home for him.

'There was much hope that he would be around for a lot longer than this but at one point there were fears they would not get him back from Los Angeles for the concert earlier this month.

'Kelly has been at the house a lot in the last week or so, so has Aimee. It is terribly sad for all of them, they really hoped he would be able to carry on for a bit longer.

'But it's so lovely that he had his children around him during his last days.'

Sir Elton John lead the tributes to a 'huge trailblazer' who 'secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods'.

He posted on Instagram: 'So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away.

'He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend.

'He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.'

Ronnie Wood said was 'very sad', with the Rolling Stone adding: 'What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.'

Rockband Metallica added to tributes to the metal icon, taking to X to post an old photo with Osbourne, captioning it with a broken heart emoji. 

Sir Rod Stewart also shared a moving tribute. In a statement, the Maggie May star said: 'Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there – later rather than sooner, ' before signing off 'Sir Rod Stewart.' 

Following his performance at Villa Park, Ozzy had been working with a ghost writer for his autobiography, entitled Last Rites, which he very much had hoped to be around to see published.

Having bought their Buckinghamshire home in in 1993, Mrs Osbourne, 72, had been preparing it for Ozzy to live out his final days.

Recent plans approved in 2023 for the historic Grade II-listed home include a substantial 'rehab wing' with a health and welfare exercise studio, art studio, pool house orangery with spa, wet room, and changing area, all designed with Ozzy's health and well-being in mind.

Despite fears he would struggle to make the transatlantic trip, Ozzy was flown back from California where he, wife Sharon and their three children had lived for three decades.

Despite struggling with his illness, the rocker was able to bid an emotional farewell to his fans on stage this month as he reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005.

'You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart,' Ozzy told the crowd in his final speech.

Support acts included a who's who of heavy metal, including legends Metallica, Pantera and Alice in Chains, along with Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler.

Ozzy leaves behind grandchildren Sidney, the son of Kelly and Sid Wilson, and Pearl Clementine, Andy Rose, Minnie Theodora, and Maple Artemis, the daughters of Jack and his ex-wife Lisa Stelly, and his current wife Aree Gearhart respectively.

He also has two children, Louis and Jessica, with his first wife, Thelma Riley.