View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The BRIT Awards (@brits)

Born in the West Midlands in 1948, Ozzy founded the band Earth with bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward and guitarist Tony Iommi, later renaming it to Black Sabbath in 1969. Sabbath became what is widely considered the first heavy metal band, writing music with dark, satanic themes and an evil sound unlike anything else in the 60s or early 70s. Osbourne’s instantly-recognisable wails and his energetic, hard-partying performances became a calling card of the band as they rose to prominence. After 8 studio albums, millions of records sold and hundreds of concerts, his substance problems had become too much for the three other members and they fired him from the band.

He bounced back from the dismissal by starting a solo career under the guidance of manager Don Arden, and the supervision of his daughter and Ozzy’s then-girlfriend Sharon Arden. 1980’s debut album ‘Blizzard Of Ozz’ was a global smash hit, catapulting Osbourne back to fame. The 80s saw him release 5 solo albums with a star-studded list of musicians behind him, as well as his marriage to Sharon in 1982.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Ozzy and Sharon became far more prolific than ever, but not necessarily through Ozzy’s music. 1996 saw Sharon found their own annual festival, Ozzfest, which boosted their profiles and those of many up-and-coming bands. In 2002, the couple opened the doors to their Beverly Hills home for MTV’s reality TV sensation “The Osbournes”, offering a chaotic insight into the family lives of Ozzy, Sharon, and two of their children – Jack and Kelly. Ozzy’s exploits made him an idol to many due to a mix of his charisma, alcoholic antics, and his unusual demeanour from decades of drug abuse and the onset of then-undiagnosed Parkinson’s disease.

Osbourne continued to release new music and tour into the 2020’s, until his worsening health from Parkinson’s had made it too difficult. In 2025, he reunited with the full Sabbath lineup of Iommi, Butler and Ward, performing a spectacular farewell concert at Villa Park in his home city of Birmingham. Named “Back To The Beginning”, the event saw many of the biggest names in rock and metal make cameos before Ozzy performed a set of his solo music, and finally his last ever Black Sabbath concert. Unable to walk, he was seated on a throne, watched by thousands in the stadium and millions online. Just weeks after Back To The Beginning, Ozzy Osbourne sadly died at home on the 22nd of July 2025.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ozzy Osbourne (@ozzyosbourne)

In the wake of his passing, he was mourned as true rock royalty. Naturally, the BRIT Awards, the UK’s biggest music award ceremony, could not turn a blind eye to such a major event in British history. They announced today that they will be bestowing Ozzy, who presented the 2008 ceremony alongside his family, with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. The statement on their website reads “The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today announces that global rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, the celebrated founding member and frontman of Black Sabbath and pioneering ‘godfather’ of British heavy metal, will be honoured at this year’s ceremony on Saturday 28th February with a BRITs Lifetime Achievement award, in recognition and celebration of his inimitable impact and influence on music worldwide.”

In addition, a special performance of his 1991 solo single ‘No More Tears’ will be played by a supergroup of Ozzy’s former collaborators and one very special fan. Pop megastar Robbie Williams has credited Osbourne as a personal hero and a dear friend, and will sing the track live. The rest of the band consists of artists who played in Ozzy’s groups in the past – guitarist Zakk Wylde, who co-wrote the song while in Ozzy’s band; Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo; keyboard player and son of Yes’s Rick Wakeman, Adam Wakeman; and drummer Tommy Clufetos. The collective were hand-chosen by Sharon as some of the best musicians to participate in her husband’s endeavours.

The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards will be held this Saturday, the 28th of February, at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, with further performances from acts including Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, and Raye. Comedian Jack Whitehall will be hosting it from 8PM on ITV, on-demand service ITVX, and the BRITs official Youtube channel.

Per a partnership with Sony Music, the BRIT Awards are to be hosted at Co-op Live, Manchester, a venue that’s been open for just over a year, ending the award show’s 15-year tenure at The O2 Arena. The Co-op Live is the largest arena in the UK by capacity, with room for 23,500 people standing, situated in the Etihad Campus. For 2026 and 2027, Manchester will be the new home for the ceremony, but plans for 2028 have not yet been revealed.

A date has been confirmed for 2026’s show: 28 February, and the awards will be broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The BRIT Awards (@brits)

Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, Jason Iley MBE, shared in a statement to the press: “This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music. Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards. I can’t wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, shared his excitement over the new prospects for the city. “For the BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. After 47 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.

“Greater Manchester has an unparalleled music heritage known around the world, and this summer will play host to some of the biggest gigs on the planet. That was only made possible by our strong commitment to new talent and giving emerging artists the opportunities to make their name.

“We thank our friends at the BPI for choosing Manchester and we will pull out all the stops to show they made the right decision. Celebrating the BRIT Awards right here in the home of 24 hour party people is the next chapter in its story and you can be sure that we will help them do it in style.”

Since their inception, the BRIT Awards have raised significant funds for the BRIT Trust, which is committed to supporting the arts and music education for young people. Beneficiaries include the BRIT School in Croydon, Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy, and more. Long-time partner Mastercard has proudly sponsored the ceremony for 28 years. The new arrangement will continue to uphold these commitments without change.

For MXDWN coverage on the 2025 BRIT Awards, click here.