It was the send off that Ozzy Osbourne had hoped for, if some time before he and his loved ones expected.

The Black Sabbath star died on Tuesday aged 76, surrounded by his wife Sharon and their children after a battle with Parkinson's.

A heartbreaking statement released by the family said: '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. 

'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.'

Sources close to the family say that his passing was 'unexpected to be this soon' but that his children were so grateful to have been around him in his last days after he performed his final gig just over two weeks ago.

Heavy metal hellraiser Ozzy, known to legions of fans as The Prince of Darkness, passed away at the Buckinghamshire mansion where his wife Sharon - a former X Factor judge - had spent at least two years preparing for his final moments.