All articles tagged with #birmingham
Sharon Osbourne says doctors told Ozzy two weeks before his final Birmingham concert that he was dying, but the rock icon insisted on performing; the charity show was described as a gift to fans, and Ozzy died about a year later.
Birmingham marks a year since Ozzy Osbourne's death with Ozzy Day celebrations across the city, from the Ozzy the bull statue at New Street to street performances by Bostin Brass and a CBSO show at the Bullring, as fans from the UK and abroad honor the heavy‑metal icon; family memories, tributes from Sharon Osbourne, and praise from Tony Iommi underscore the lasting impact of Osbourne on his hometown.
Sharon Osbourne says doctors warned Ozzy two weeks before his final Birmingham show that he was dying and urged him not to perform, but he went on with the concert in a farewell that featured former Black Sabbath members and benefited UK charities. The star had Parkinson's disease and died a year later at age 76; Sharon called the Birmingham night a gift to his fans and a celebration of his connection with the audience.
Sharon Osbourne marked the first anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death by urging fans to remember him by blasting his music, sharing memories of his humor and authenticity, praising Birmingham’s Ozzy Day celebrations, and noting ongoing charity work for Parkinson’s and related causes.
Prince Harry attended a countdown event for the Invictus Games at Birmingham’s NEC, watching wheelchair rugby and playing pickleball, while Meghan Markle did not attend public UK events this week amid security concerns and ongoing royal-family spotlight.
A mass shooting on Holley Avenue in Birmingham's Sandusky neighborhood left two people dead and five others injured; police recovered shell casings, used air support, and are interviewing witnesses as investigators search for those responsible.
UFC veteran Darren Till extended his post-UFC winning streak by knocking out Aaron Chalmers with a left hand early in the second round in his BKFC debut at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
Stranger Things’ Charlie Heaton will play Charles Shelby in the untitled Peaky Blinders sequel, a six-episode series set in post-WWII Birmingham focusing on the next generation after Tommy Shelby. Jamie Bell stars as Duke Shelby, with Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski also joining the cast. Production is underway in Birmingham, and the UK will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, while Netflix will release it internationally; a release date hasn’t been announced.
CAW announced it had stopped adding fluoride to Birmingham’s water, but it later emerged that three plants had discontinued fluoridation as early as 2023-2024, with no public notice. The city has sued to resume fluoridation while health groups reiterate its dental benefits and call for transparency.
Racer X’s Birmingham Race Day Feed covers practice and qualifying for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross round at Protective Stadium. Seth Hammaker posted the fastest time in the 250SX combined qualifying (East/West Showdown), with strong showings from West/East riders, while Eli Tomac posted the fastest time in 450SX Group A and led the 450 combined qualifying. The day also notes the returns of Nick Romano and Justin Bogle, plus SMX Next results ahead of the main events.
Cillian Murphy and a star-studded lineup attended the Birmingham premiere of The Immortal Man, the Peaky Blinders film shot in the city, with Steven Knight calling Birmingham a co-star. The movie opens in cinemas for two weeks before Netflix streaming on 20 March, and new cast members Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth join the ensemble.
Breeze Airways is launching year-round nonstop flights from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Birmingham, AL and Tallahassee, FL this summer, expanding RDU’s destination count to 39. Tallahassee service starts July 2 (Tue/Thu/Sun) and Birmingham service starts July 3 (Mon/Fri), with a new RDU crew base planned. The carrier continues to target underserved leisure markets using Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Two people were arrested in Birmingham as police probed an Anti-Zionist Movement launch event. A 35-year-old woman was stopped en route and arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, and a 42-year-old man was detained after a threat reported outside the venue. Officers are examining organisers’ plans and a social-media post advertising the event and liaising with the local Jewish community as the investigation continues.
Sharon Osbourne has been invited by Birmingham’s Conservative group to stand in the upcoming local elections after she hinted on social media that she might return to the city. Party leader Councillor Robert Alden published an open letter inviting her to stand to help “clean up Birmingham” and boost the council’s finances and services, with supporters touting her profile as a campaigning figure who could raise the city’s international profile.
Meghan Markle is reportedly set to return to England in summer 2026 to join Prince Harry in Birmingham for the Invictus Games countdown, but the trip’s timing depends on security arrangements being finalized as protection for the couple is reviewed.