Former BBC radio presenter Alex Dyke has paid an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during an appearance on GB News with Nigel Farage, insisting the late rock icon was far more significant than his reality television persona suggested.
"Ozzy will probably be remembered as the guy who shouted 'Sharon!' at his wife in The Osbournes reality TV show from the early 2000s," Dyke told Nigel.
"But there was so much more to Ozzy than that, Nigel. He was a pioneer of heavy metal rock."
The veteran broadcaster emphasised that Osbourne's cultural impact extended well beyond the comedic image many younger fans associated with him from his family's reality programme.
GB NEWS
|Alex Dyke paid tribute to the rock and roll star
Dyke explained how Osbourne transformed British rock music during a pivotal period in the early 1970s.
"You've got to remember, in the very early '70s, the rock coming out of Britain after the Beatles had split up was progressive rock self-indulgent six-minute drum solos and things like that," he said. "Think early Genesis and Jethro Tull. But Ozzy wasn't like that at all."
"He was a heavy metal pioneer and a heavy metal hero," Dyke emphasised.
The legendary musician passed away this morning at 76 years old, according to an announcement from his family.
The statement revealed that the rock icon died whilst in the company of loved ones.
"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," the family's statement added.
GETTY
|Ozzy Osbourne died aged 76 "surrounded by love"
"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."
The Birmingham-born performer's death occurred merely weeks following his appearance at what was described as his farewell concert with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in his hometown.
The musician had been battling Parkinson's disease since his 2020 diagnosis, which severely impacted his mobility.
GETTY
|Earlier this year, Osbourne disclosed that he could no longer walk due to the condition's progression.
Earlier this year, Osbourne disclosed that he could no longer walk due to the condition's progression.
Despite his health challenges, the rock legend managed one final reunion with Black Sabbath members Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward earlier this month.
Dyke observed that even Osbourne's wheelchair at the farewell performance reflected his theatrical nature: "If you watch him at that final concert just a few weeks ago, even the wheelchair he was in was like a gothic throne, because Ozzy was all about showbiz."