Last night, at the 10th edition of the Birmingham Awards held in Birmingham, England, Kelly Osbourne accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late father, rock icon Ozzy Osbourne. The emotional honour recognised not only Ozzy’s unmatched impact on music but also his deep connection to his home city of Birmingham. People.com+3birminghamawards.co.uk+3BirminghamWorld+3

A hero’s hometown moment

The ceremony, which marked a decade of celebrating Birmingham’s culture, talent and community, saw Ozzy posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. birminghamawards.co.uk+2BirminghamWorld+2 Kelly took to the stage to deliver a tender and heartfelt speech, saying:

“Birmingham made my dad who he was. He never forgot where he came from, and this city was always in his heart.” 

She reflected upon how being a “Brummy” – the affectionate local term for Birmingham natives – meant the world to her father. In an Instagram post following the event, she wrote:

“Last night I had the honour of accepting my father’s lifetime achievement award on his behalf… I know that my dad was shining down on us from heaven with pride because being a #Brummy meant more to him than anything. He loved the city and he loved the people.” People.com+1

A legacy of music and roots

Ozzy Osbourne passed away on 22 July 2025 at the age of 76. People.com+1 He first found fame as lead singer of the pioneering heavy-metal band Black Sabbath and later as a solo artist, accumulating a global legacy of albums, tours and cultural impact. Wikipedia+1 Yet despite his worldwide success, his Birmingham roots were never far from his identity. This award ceremony served both as a farewell and a homecoming.

Kelly’s acceptance speech captured this dual nature of Ozzy’s journey:

“He loved this city, he loved the people as they loved him back.”

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The event and its significance

The Birmingham Awards 2025, hosted by event organisers Ifraz Ahmed and Anita Chumber of B Events, featured a wide range of categories including arts, business, community work and more. birminghamawards.co.uk The Lifetime Achievement Award for Ozzy was flagged as one of the emotional high points of the night.

One of the organisers said:

“Ozzy’s impact on the world is immeasurable, but his roots will always be here in Birmingham. His legacy continues to inspire generations, and we are deeply proud to recognise his contribution to music, culture, and our city.” birminghamawards.co.uk

Towards healing and remembrance

For Kelly Osbourne, the moment was more than a formality— it was a personal tribute and a public acknowledgement of her father’s enduring influence. She has spoken previously about navigating grief and finding solace in unexpected places in the months after Ozzy’s passing. DoYouRemember?+1

Her accepting of the award gave fans and the city a moment to come together in remembrance. Kelly’s words hovered between celebration and mourning:

“This honour would have meant the world to him. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. #birminghamforever.”

A final note

Last night’s ceremony in Birmingham served as a fitting tribute to a rock ‘n’ roll legend whose story began on the streets of the city and eventually resonated across the globe. Through Kelly’s moving presence and speech, Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy — of innovation, defiance and deep ties to his hometown — was powerfully reaffirmed.

For the people of Birmingham and the countless fans worldwide, the moment stood as both an end and a legacy continued: the music might have paused, but the influence lives on.