THE BBC mysteriously pulled their Ozzy Osbourne documentary from the schedules last night – just 11 days after announcing they would be airing it.
Although the Beeb initially offered no explanation for the last minute axing of the 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.
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A source said: “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.
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“It started to feel like the goal being pursued was that the BBC and the makers of the film were to get the show on air faster than the Paramount+ doc.
“Naturally that has caused some concerns with the family.”
The BBC have yet to confirm what has gone on behind the scenes but did put out a statement which said: “The film has moved in the schedules and we’ll confirm new tx details in due course.”
I’ve no doubt given Ozzy’s legacy – and the feelings of his family – they want to get this just right before it goes out on screen.
I was lucky enough to watch the Black Sabbath legend perform on stage for the final time at his Back To The Beginning concert in Villa Park.
Just over two weeks later, Ozzy passed away at home aged 76 with Sharon by his side.
The news hit myself, and his other millions of fans, like a tonne of bricks.
The footage the filmmakers for the BBC and Paramount+ have will no doubt make for incredibly powerful viewing.
To get that right is what Ozzy and his family deserves.
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