Former X Factor star Ray Quinn has revealed the heartfelt advice Ozzy Osbourne gave him over dinner at his and wife Sharon Osbourne’s Beverley Hill mansion.
The Black Sabbath frontman died last week at the age of 76 – just weeks after performing his final show with the band – and will return to his home city of Birmingham for a procession ahead of his private funeral on Wednesday.
Now singer Ray, 36, has opened up about being invited to the Osbourne’s family home for dinner where Ozzy offered him music advice and shared his artwork.
Ray came runner-up to Leona Lewis in the third series of the ITV show in 2006 and headed to the States to record his debut record album.
He revealed Sharon, who was a judge on the X Factor alongside Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, had become a ‘big part of his life’ at the time.
Speaking to Smooth Spins, Ray said: ‘Sharon was a big part of my life, even after the show. When I flew out to LA to record my album, she reached out and invited me to her house for dinner.
Former X Factor star Ray Quinn has revealed the heartfelt advice Ozzy Osbourne gave him over dinner at his and wife Sharon Osbourne ‘s Beverley Hill mansion; pictured in 2006
The Black Sabbath frontman died last week at the age of 76 and will return to his home city of Birmingham for a procession ahead of his private funeral on Wednesday
‘I went to their Beverly Hills home that was featured on their reality show The Osbournes, so that was pretty surreal.
‘Ozzy was there too, and he was such an amazing guy. My heart goes out to the whole family after his passing.’
He recalled: ‘I remember we sat down and had lamb to eat and lots of cups of tea. There were about 20 dogs running around, and Sharon even let me walk one around the neighbourhood.
‘The whole family was amazing, and Ozzy was so kind. He asked me about my music and told me to keep going and enjoy every minute. It was like sitting with one of my mates’ dads’.
Ray, who won Dancing On Ice in 2009, also revealed that Ozzy was a ‘great artist’ and had his own art studio at his mansion.
‘He showed me all of his paintings that he liked to do too. He had a little art studio by the pool, and there were loads on the walls. He was a great artist and a wonderful man’, he added.
Fans will be able to pay their final respects to Ozzy as his body is brought back to his home city for a procession on Wednesday.
The star’s hearse will make its way through Birmingham, travelling alongside his family to Broad Street from 1pm, the city council announced on Tuesday.
Now singer Ray, 36, has opened up about being invited to the Osbourne’s family home for dinner where Ozzy offered him music advice and shared his artwork; pictured with children Kelly and Jack in 2002
He revealed Sharon, who was a judge on the X Factor alongside Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, had become a ‘big part of his life’ at the time; pictured L-R Simon, Ray, Kate Thornton, Ben Mills and Sharon in 2006
He said: ‘Sharon was a big part of my life, even after the show. When I flew out to LA to record my album, she reached out and invited me to her house for dinner, we had lamb and lots of cups of tea’
Now the stars who will be paying their respects to the Prince of Darkness has been revealed, with Elton John leading the A-listers.
A source told The Sun: ‘His Sabbath bandmates, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, will be there, along with James Hetfield from Metallica.
‘Elton John is also hoping to join the family at the church.
‘Sharon and his family have been so touched by messages they received not only from Ozzy’s friends, but also his fans around the world.’
Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said the city where Osbourne grew up will give him the ‘farewell he deserves’.
He said: ‘Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.
‘Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.
We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.
‘We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.’
The city council said it had worked ‘at pace’ to co-ordinate a respectful and safe public event in co-ordination with the Osbourne family ahead of a private funeral.
He continued: ‘The whole family was amazing, and Ozzy was so kind. He asked me about my music and told me to keep going and enjoy every minute. It was like sitting with one of my mates’ dads’
‘He showed me all of his paintings that he liked to do too. He had a little art studio by the pool, and there were loads on the walls. He was a great artist and a wonderful man’, he added
Broad Street will be closed to traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted.
Ozzy previously revealed he didn’t want his funeral to be a sad occasion but a time to say ‘thanks’.
‘There’ll be no harping on the bad times,’ he told The Times back in 2011.
‘It’s worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives, so by any measure, most of us in this country — especially rock stars like me — are very lucky.
‘That’s why I don’t want my funeral to be sad, I want it to be a time to say ”thanks”.’
Ozzy insisted he wanted it to be a celebration rather than a ‘mope-fest’ and that he didn’t care what music was played as long as it made his loved ones happy.
‘I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes ’em happy,’ he quipped.
However, in another interview a few years later, Ozzy narrowed down his song choice to A Day In The Life by The Beatles.
Ozzy has previously credited The Beatles for inspiring him to become a musician himself, revealing he became an avid fan after hearing their 1964 hit She Loves You.
When asked about his funeral song, Ozzy insisted he would want a Beatles number being played rather than any of his own music on the day.
‘I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver,’ he told NME in 2016.
Ray came runner-up to Leona Lewis (L) in the third series of the ITV show in 2006 and headed to the States to record his debut record album
Fans will be able to pay their final respects to Ozzy as his body is brought back to his home city for a procession (Ozzy seen in 2002)
‘I definitely don’t want my f**king greatest hits album – I never ever play that thing, I’m f**king embarrassed about it. And I definitely don’t want a f**king happy song – I’m dead.’
Ozzy’s hearse will be accompanied by musicians Bostin’ Brass and will stop at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have been gathering since the heavy metal icon died last week aged 76 to leave flowers and tributes.
The funeral is expected to draw huge crowds as fans gather to say goodbye to the pioneer of heavy metal, giving his family an opportunity to see the memories and tributes left by those who loved him.
The rock star died last Tuesday morning with his family confirming the news in a statement.
‘It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,’ they shared.
‘He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.’
He is survived by his wife Sharon and his six children. He shares three kids – Aimee, 41, Kelly, 41, and Jack, 40, with Sharon.
Ozzy also welcomed two children – Jessica and Louis – from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, while he also adopted her son Elliot from her previous relationship.
The musician had undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in 2023, and had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2003.
