The BBC has confirmed it postponed the broadcast of an hour-long documentary about Ozzy Osbourne at the last minute following a request from his family. The film, originally scheduled for Monday, was pulled from listings without explanation, but the corporation has now stated it is respecting the family's wish to wait longer before airing the programme.
A BBC spokesperson expressed sympathy for the Osbourne family, saying: 'Our sympathies are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time. We are respecting the family’s wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film. The new broadcast date will be confirmed shortly.' The documentary, titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, had been promoted earlier this month by Clare Sillery, head of commissioning for BBC Documentaries, who described it as capturing 'family moments, humour, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon'.
The film was originally conceived as a 10-part series called Home to Roost, following Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's return to the UK, but was re-edited into a one-off documentary as Osbourne's health declined. It includes interviews with family members Sharon, Kelly, and Jack, and depicts Osbourne's struggles with Parkinson's disease, diagnosed in 2019, and his efforts to perform despite ill health.
Osbourne died last month at age 76, weeks after performing from a throne at Villa Park in Birmingham. The BBC's documentary is one of two about the late singer; Paramount+ is also producing a feature-length film, Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, focusing on his recovery from a serious fall in 2019, slated for later this year.
