Ozzy Osbourne funeral latest: Updates on Birmingham procession route, livestream and private service

On Instagram, Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello posted an image of Osbourne performing from a throne with the caption: “‘Back to the Beginning’ More than 190 million dollars will be donated to houses and hospitales [sic] for children.”

Morello added: “Boom. We set out to not just create the greatest day in the history of heavy metal.”

He also thanked Osbourne for trusting him with his role, writing: “THANKYOU [Ozzy Osbourne] for trusting me to be the Musical Director of the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show. It was over a year of hard work but heavy metal was the music that made me love music and it was a labor of love.”

The Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street is where Ozzy’s funeral cortege will pause before continuing on its way.

The tribute spot has become a hub for fans and stars wishing to pay their respects – Ozzy’s family will stop to read some of the tributes later today.

There is a livestream of the location, so fans unable to be in Birmingham today can still tune in. However, the BBC reports that owners Westside Business Improvement District are struggling to keep up with the online viewing demand.

The Prince of Darkness first met his wife in 1970 when her father was Black Sabbath’s manager – my colleague Lydia tracks their relationship from the very beginning.

British rock singer Yungblud, who performed at the Black Sabbath farewell show and is believed to be attending the private service later today, wrote that he was “ truly heartbroken” at Ozzy’s death.

“I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage,” he wrote.

“Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all.

“I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”

As the morning has gone on, thousands more have joined the crowds to celebrate the life of the rock legend.

Fans have travelled from across the Midlands, with hundreds decked in Black Sabbath concert T-shirts and blasting music from handheld speakers. Pints are flowing at the Wetherspoons opposite the Black Sabbath bridge, with punters here since 8am.

Ozzy Osbourne lookalikes are dotted around, as well as dedicated fans in their camping chairs, who have been here since the early hours of the morning.

The city’s mayor Zafar Iqbal said in a statement: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.

“Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.”

He continued: “We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.”

Roy Brown-Lowe, 64, has travelled here today with his pet hound Bruce, who has been renamed ‘Doggy Osbourne’ for the day. Asked what the musician means to Birmingham, he responded: “Ozzy Osbourne is Birmingham. Look at the people here, Birmingham loves Ozzy and Ozzy loved Birmingham”.

With merging and collaborating metal acts swapping over on a revolving stage, it’s a fast-spinning Lazy Susan of metal history. Yet there’s precious little ego and plenty of heartfelt humility, Mark Beaumont wrote in his five-star review of Back to the Beginning: