Sharon Osbourne has passionately defended her decision to ask Robbie Williams to lead the emotional supergroup tribute to her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne, at this year’s Brit Awards in Manchester.
As the ceremony prepared to honour the rock legend with a Lifetime Achievement Award, some fans questioned why the former Take That star had been chosen to perform Ozzy’s iconic track No More Tears. But Sharon wasted no time shutting down the criticism — and her response said everything.
Speaking from the red carpet at Co-op Live, she made her feelings crystal clear. “He’s the most warmest, down to earth person,” she said of Robbie. Sharon went on to reveal that she saw many of the same qualities in Robbie that she had always adored in her husband, insisting the connection between the two men ran far deeper than music.
“They were mates,” she added firmly, making it clear that this wasn’t simply a casting decision — it was personal.
Robbie, who was personally invited by Sharon, reportedly needed little persuasion to take part. Their long-standing friendship and his love for Ozzy’s music made him an obvious choice in her eyes. Despite helping assemble the all-star lineup, Sharon insisted she stepped back when it came to creative decisions. “I let the musicians” choose the songs, she explained.
The supergroup featured members who had played alongside Ozzy over the years, including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde, with Robbie fronting the performance.
Standing proudly beside her mum on the red carpet, Kelly Osbourne shared her belief that the tribute would be unforgettable. She described the moment as “beautiful”, explaining that it would be Ozzy’s closest friends celebrating his legacy together.
Ozzy tragically passed away aged 76 on July 22 last year, just weeks after performing at his Back to the Beginning concert — a final bow that now feels even more poignant.
Following the BRITs ceremony, Sharon is set to return to the United States, while Kelly will remain in the UK. The matriarch recently made the decision to split her time between the US and Britain, choosing to spend at least half the year close to her children and grandchildren.
She is already a devoted grandmother to Jack’s daughters — Pearl, Andy Rose, Minnie Theodora and Maple Artemis — with another baby on the way — as well as Kelly’s two-year-old son, Sidney. Jack was reportedly “sad” not to be present in the audience for the tribute performance, but Sharon confirmed she will soon be flying back to resume grandmother duties.
For Sharon, this wasn’t about headlines — it was about honouring the man she loved, surrounded by those who truly knew him.
