28 February 2023 , 21:13
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Ozzy Osbourne has dismissed claims he's on his "last legs" as he exclaimed he's far from death's door following speculation over his health.
The Prince of Darkness, 74, has taken a step back from his hectic touring schedule in recent years due to his Parkinson's battle and requiring surgery after a fall.
Earlier this month, the Black Sabbath legend took to social media to announce that he was no longer "physically capable" of delivering a live show and hadn't anticipated his performance days would have "ended this way".
But, following months of speculation suggesting his health was getting worse, the Aston native refused to hold back as he lashed out at the claims he is retiring.
Ozzy Osbourne has addressed claims that his health is deteriorating (Getty Images for SiriusXM)Speaking on SiriusXM's Ozzy Speaks with his pal Billy Morrison, the Mama, I'm Coming Home singer said: "If I could tour, I'd tour but right now, I can't book tours because right now I don't think I could pull them off."
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Billy added: "Right and medically, you just don't know how you're going to be.
"Everyone's like 'Oh my God, Ozzy's retiring,' and I knew it wasn't that!"
The Black Sabbath star announced he wouldn't be performing any time soon due to ill health (Getty Images for SiriusXM)However, a seething Ozzy exclaimed: "I mean, I looked in a magazine the other day and 'Ozzy's on his last legs', I'm f***ing not dying!
"Come on guys, haven't I had it bad enough already? If the doctor said to me today 'Oh you can tour', it would take another six months to get it together, you know?"
Ozzy went on to explain that he feels like a "one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest" due to his condition, but admits that making new music is the only thing that "keeps him going".
Explaining how he copes with his condition, the metal star said: "I do my best to stay away from the pain medication but there are times when I go 'I've gotta take something'."
In recent years, Ozzy has been using a cane to help him walk (Getty Images)
He went public with his Parkinson's battle in 2020 (Getty Images for The Recording Academy)The musician recently won his first Grammy award in three decades, being awarded the gong for Best Rock Album for Patient Number 9, as well as best metal performance for the single Degradation Rules featuring his Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi.
It came weeks after he announced he'd be cancelling his European tour which was set to kick off in May, having already been rescheduled three times.
He said: "After three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernetics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.
"I am honestly humbled by the way you've all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realisation that I'm not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/ UK tour dates, as I know I couldn't deal with the travel required.
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"Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really F***S ME UP, more than you will ever know."