Ozzy Osbourne’s family announced this evening that he died earlier today and the news of his death was then shared by BBC Radio presenter Jack Saunders live on air

Radio host Jack Saunders was emotional whilst announcing the death of Ozzy Osbourne live on air this evening. The presenter shared the news with listeners on BBC Radio 1 earlier after a statement was issued by the family.

Ozzy’s family, including his wife Sharon Osbourne, announced tonight that he died, aged 76, this morning, just weeks after his farewell concert with Black Sabbath. They said in a statement that he had been “surrounded by love”.

BBC Radio presenter Jack, 32, later paid tribute to Ozzy whilst sharing the news with listeners. He described the singer-songwriter as a “legend” as he reflected on his legacy ahead of a playing one of his band’s songs on his radio show.

Jack Saunders, pictured, announced the death of Ozzy Osbourne to listeners on his BBC Radio 1 show earlier this evening ( 
Image:
Instagram/jackxsaunders)

Jack said: “Bringing the sad news that Ozzy Osbourne has sadly passed away at the age of 76. The Prince of Darkness himself, the frontman of one of the most important heavy metal bands, Black Sabbath, whose second album, Paranoid, remains without doubt the most influential metal album of all time.

“If you’ve had a chance to listen to that album, you’ll know when I say this, but if not, the riffs were cut-throat and raw, and I mean there really wasn’t a consideration to be like something or play up to a certain way. There was only concern to be heard.”

He said: “And this track that I wanna play you from Black Sabbath tonight was the opener to the album. And it was emblematic, set the tone and completely ambitious in its time, which was 1970 by the way. Fresh off the back of the chokehold of the Beatles, this felt like something fresh and different and exciting and … Ozzy’s voice felt timelessly evil, filled with temptation and snare.”

Ozzy’s death had first been announced in a statement from his family, including his wife Sharon Osbourne ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Jack continued: “There was no way once you heard Ozzy do his thing that you were going anywhere but listening to Black Sabbath. Riding the rhythm and blues that had so far shaped the sound of rock and roll, Ozzy Osbourne, on this track and beyond, shaped himself as the Prince of Darkness. Rest in peace to a legend. This is War Pigs by Black Sabbath on Radio 1.”

Ozzy Osbourne 1948 – 2025
Leave your tributes and memories of the Black Sabbath legend after his death at the age of 76

Jack further paid tribute when he shared the clip on Instagram. He wrote in the caption of his post: “As I was on air tonight, the news broke that we had lost one of the greatest showman the world of metal and music has ever seen.”

He continued by telling his followers: “The bands and artists that dare to fly the flag in the name of rock n roll do so because Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath did first. He was a blessing to music. Rest In Peace the Prince Of Darkness.”