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LONDON: Rock superstar Ozzy Osbourne bid farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion in his final ever live performance, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

The legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park, Birmingham – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was "so good to be on this stage" as he performed his last set from a large black throne.

Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.

Among the bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton.

Osbourne – who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 – plans to continue to record music, but said that the concert marked the end for him performing live.

The 76-year-old, nicknamed the Prince of Darkness, entered the stage for the final time by rising on his throne through a trap door.

He started the performance by saying: "Let me hear you. Are you ready? Let the madness begin!"

And later, in an emotional moment, Ozzy said: "I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The rocker – who wore his signature black attire and thick eye makeup – sang five songs in his own set, with fans waving torches from their phones during "Mama, I'm Coming Home."

He finished his performance with "Crazy Train," before confetti rained over a packed Villa Park.

After a short break, he re-entered the stage to join the rest of Black Sabbath – for the first time in 20 years – in a special reunion.

The band performed some of their greatest hits to the adoration of the crowd, ending with a rendition of "Paranoid" for the ultimate send-off.

Fans chanted "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" as the rock legend thanked and blew kisses to those in attendance, before departing in an emotional ending to cap off an illustrious career on stage.