The BBC’s planned broadcast of Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home has been pulled from its schedule at the last minute, and new reports suggest the move came after concerns from the Osbourne family about the documentary’s tone.
The one-off special, originally set to air on August 18th, was billed as an “inspiring and deeply personal” account of the Black Sabbath legend’s final years. Using three years of footage initially shot for a ten-part series called Home To Roost, the film chronicled Ozzy and Sharon’s move back to the UK while capturing his ongoing health struggles and final performances.
Instead, BBC One filled the prime-time slot with Fake or Fortune: What Happened Next? A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated only that the documentary “has moved in the schedules” and a new air date will be confirmed later.
Now, The Sun’s TV editor Rod McPhee has shed light on what may have been happening behind the scenes.
“Although the Beeb initially offered no explanation for the last minute axing of Ozzy and Sharon’s hotly anticipated show, Coming Home, I’ve been told there were concerns about how the family felt about the end product,” McPhee revealed.
According to one source: “There have been conversations behind the scenes that maybe the BBC were rushing their show on Ozzy out – especially because Paramount+ also had a film in the offing.
“The BBC’s production had been originally planned to run as a ten part series following Ozzy and Sharon’s move back to the UK called Home To Roost. After Ozzy passed away, the makers of the series then decided it should be a one-off film.
“What mattered the most to the family was the overall tone and theme of the programme, which features Ozzy and Sharon in one of their last interviews together.”
Ozzy died on July 22 at his Buckinghamshire estate, aged 76, following a heart attack. His daughter Aimée later confirmed that coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease were contributing factors.
His funeral procession through Birmingham drew thousands of fans who gathered to say farewell as his coffin made its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge. Just weeks earlier, Ozzy gave his final live performance at Villa Park, reuniting with his Sabbath bandmates and treating fans to a solo set — a powerful closing chapter to a groundbreaking career.
For now, Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home remains in limbo, but fans are hopeful the documentary will see the light of day in the near future.
