Alice Cullinane
BBC News, West Midlands
BBC
Christy Willison has been a Black Sabbath fan for more than 30 years
You can wait your whole life to meet Ozzy Osbourne and then four of the clan turn up at once.
That’s how things went down at Comic Con Midlands on Saturday when, one week on from Black Sabbath’s farewell gig in Birmingham, the so-called Prince of Darkness was back in the city to offer fans a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly.
Now, that’s a lot of Osbournes in one go and for the rare privilege – plus a photo opportunity and autographs – guests had to pay a thematically-fitting £666.
Some may say the expense was – ahem – batty, but for those happy to pay, it was a “once in a lifetime” thing, with some fans shaking with emotion after their encounter while others grinned with joy.
Among the fans who formed a snaking queue at the NEC, and waited more than an hour to get to the front, was Christy Willison, who said: “I’ve seen Ozzy live many times but I’ve never had the chance to meet him, I’ve been a fan for 30-odd years.
She said she couldn’t explain how she felt after hearing Ozzy’s voice for the first time in person as he asked for some water during the event.
“I’ve waited a long time for this, I’m shaking,” she said.
Danielle Coulter took her first ever overseas trip from the US to see Ozzy Osbourne
Some heavy metal enthusiasts are still in Birmingham a week after the Sabbath gig, including Danielle Coulter who travelled from Indiana in the US to watch the band.
She said she loved visiting all the Black Sabbath sights in “cool and hip” Birmingham, and said the people were “really genuine and down-to-earth”.
She could barely contain her joy as she prepared to meet Ozzy, describing him as the “metal godfather” that “blessed us” with music.
“I’m so excited to be here, I love Ozzy more than anything,” she said. “Coming here is my first overseas trip and I would only do that for Ozzy.”
Fans queued at the NEC in Birmingham as they patiently waited to see the star
While meet and greet ticket prices were already in the hundreds for many, some fans said they paid about £1,500 for the opportunity.
An autograph on an album or toy were an extra £375 per item, while a signature on a microphone or guitar would have set you back £750.
Rules were strict during the event as the Osbournes sat behind a black curtain, with them visible only to those who had paid.
Comic Con Midlands said that fans who were unable to attend the event could pre-order photos and autographs.
Andy Coleman said meeting the Osbournes was the “most surreal moment”
As Andy Coleman walked out of his photo opportunity, he was smiling from ear to ear and described the experience as “surreal”.
“They smiled and said ‘thank you for being here’ and that was it, but it was just such a magical moment,” he added.
He said he had waited happily for the meeting, adding the event had given him the chance to “spend more time” with the family and that his photo would be framed in his office.
“I never thought I’d get the opportunity to meet Ozzy, it was just the most surreal moment,” he said.