In a heartfelt tribute to one of rock music’s most enduring icons, the BBC has announced that Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, a one-hour documentary chronicling the final chapter of Ozzy Osbourne’s life, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9 PM BST on Monday, August 18, 2025. Filmed over three years from 2022 to 2025, this deeply personal film offers an intimate look at the Black Sabbath frontman’s final years, capturing his return to the United Kingdom, his health struggles, and his triumphant last performance. The announcement comes just weeks after Osbourne’s passing on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, following a cardiac arrest at his Buckinghamshire home.
A Moving Portrait of a Rock Legend
Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home promises to be a poignant and uplifting account of the rock legend’s life, focusing on his resilience, family bonds, and enduring spirit. Originally conceived in 2022 as a series titled Home to Roost, the project evolved into a standalone 60-minute documentary as Osbourne’s health deteriorated. The film captures the Osbourne family—Ozzy, his wife and manager Sharon, and their children Kelly and Jack—as they navigate the emotional and logistical challenges of relocating from the United States, where they lived for over two decades, back to rural Buckinghamshire in the UK.
The documentary is described as a rollercoaster of emotions, blending “love, laughter, and tears” with candid family moments. It highlights Osbourne’s determination to perform one final time with Black Sabbath at a farewell concert titled Back to the Beginning, held in his hometown of Birmingham on July 5, 2025. This performance, which included a set with his solo band and a finale with Black Sabbath, marked a defiant and mischievous capstone to his storied career, despite his ongoing health battles. Kelly Osbourne’s poignant reflection in the film, “Iron Man wasn’t really made of iron,” encapsulates the vulnerability and humanity behind the rock icon’s larger-than-life persona.
Ozzy’s Health Struggles and Resilience
The documentary does not shy away from the challenges Osbourne faced in his final years. In 2019, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and a fall in the same year aggravated injuries from a 2003 accident, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues. These health struggles forced Osbourne to retire from touring in 2023, a decision that weighed heavily on the singer known for his electrifying live performances. Yet, the film showcases his heroic efforts to regain his strength and take the stage one last time, offering fans a glimpse of the tenacity that made him a global icon.
Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning for Documentaries, emphasized the privilege of documenting this period of Osbourne’s life: “We are honoured to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the UK. It features family moments, humour, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon.” Sillery added that the BBC hopes the documentary will bring “comfort and joy” to Osbourne’s fans as they celebrate his extraordinary life.
A Family Affair
At its core, Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home is a story about family. The documentary provides unprecedented access to the Osbournes, showcasing their unwavering support for Ozzy during his health struggles and their shared dream of returning to the UK. Executive producers Ben Wicks and Colin Barr of Expectation, the production company behind the film, noted, “Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty, all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life. But one thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy’s intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all.”
The film includes never-before-seen footage of Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack, offering fans a rare glimpse into their private moments. From heartfelt family interactions to the challenges of Ozzy’s health and the planning of his final performance, the documentary captures the Osbournes’ resilience and unity. A teaser for the film describes it as “full of love, laughter and tears and the kind of unforgettable family moments that we’ve come to expect from the Osbournes.”
A Farewell to the Prince of Darkness
Osbourne’s passing on July 22, 2025, just 17 days after his final Birmingham performance, marked the end of an era for rock music. His funeral procession through Birmingham, which passed over the iconic Black Sabbath Bridge, drew tens of thousands of fans who gathered to pay their respects. The cortège was accompanied by musicians from Bostin Brass playing Black Sabbath songs, and fans threw flowers at the hearse as it moved through the city. The documentary, airing less than a month after his death, serves as a fitting tribute to Osbourne’s legacy as the “Prince of Darkness” and a pioneer of heavy metal.
Production and Global Reach
Produced by Expectation in association with JOKS Productions Limited, Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home is directed by Paula Wittig and edited by Garry Crystal. The film is being distributed internationally by Banijay Rights, ensuring that fans worldwide can experience this moving tribute. The documentary’s evolution from a planned series to a standalone film reflects the unpredictable nature of Osbourne’s final years, making it a unique and compelling portrait of his life and legacy.
How to Watch
Fans can tune in to Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home on BBC One or stream it on BBC iPlayer at 9 PM BST on August 18, 2025. The documentary is expected to resonate deeply with viewers, offering a bittersweet celebration of Osbourne’s contributions to music and his enduring connection with his family and fans.
As posts on X reflect, anticipation for the documentary is high, with fans describing it as a “poignant” and “emotional” tribute to Osbourne’s life. The film promises to be a fitting farewell to a rock legend whose music and personality left an indelible mark on the world.
