Ozzy Osbourne ‘deeply nervous’ about reality TV return after MTV series ‘messed’ family up

Ozzy Osbourne has said he was “deeply nervous” about filming his reality TV comeback, 17 years after his MTV show, The Osbournes came to an end.

The Black Sabbath hitmaker made the comments as he discussed the BBC commissioning a series on his and wife Sharon’s new life back in the UK.

Reflecting on their experience first time around, 74-year-old Ozzy claimed the reality show, which first aired in 2002, saw his children turning to drugs to cope with the fame.

Speaking on his SiriusXM channel, Ozzy’s Bonehead, he said: “I don’t know how the Kardashians have done it for so long. It sent us crazy at the end.

“I am not sorry I did it, but after three or four years I said, ‘Do you know what, we’re going to lose somebody because it is getting too crazy’.

“There is rock and roll fame, which is pretty intense, but that Osbourne level was just unbelievable. The kids paid for it. They all ended up doing drugs.

“Jack got clean and sober on that show, Kelly messed up on that show, I was messed up and Sharon got cancer.”

The Crazy Train singer also compared their fame at the time to Beatlemania, recalling how a whole restaurant of people would scream at him if he arrived for a meal.

Osbourne added that because of his experience two decades ago he was hesitant to delve back into the world of reality TV, but said it was ultimately wife Sharon’s decision.

He continued: “My wife sort of dropped something on me that the BBC are doing The Osbournes returning to England. I said, ‘We are not having all that again’. But she said it is only for a bit.

“It gave Sharon a new career. She has become the television person in our family.”

The Osbournes was the first show of its kind and was the diving board for much of modern day reality TV.

The MTV series covered many of the family’s milestones, both good and bad, including Sharon’s battle with cancer and the rocker’s near-death accident.

The series became known for Osbourne’s insistent calling of “Sharon!” and, although the show lifted the lid on their eccentric family life, notably their eldest daughter Aimee decided not to take part.

The Osbournes lasted for four series and even scooped the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program in 2002.