Sharon Osbourne's tireless act of love for Ozzy that saved his finale concert

Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance in his home city almost never happened. The rock legend was warned that insurers would not cover the show if he pursued his dream of standing to say goodbye to his devoted fans, we can reveal.

But Ozzy’s determined wife Sharon waged a secret battle with the insurance agents – and overcame any potential issues by seating the Black Sabbath frontman in a throne for his five solo tracks and four Sabbath tunes. Ozzy, who died on Tuesday at the age of 76, just two weeks after the show, had vowed to “get back on that stage no matter what”.

READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne was 'ready to go' after battling physical torment and trauma, says pal

However, an LA promoter said the superstar was effectively banned from any on stage movement during the charity show by insurance firms. It prompted concerns that the Back To The Beginning gig, at Villa Park in Birmingham, would be axed. Ozzy had spent over a year working with physios, trainers and specialists to be able to put on a show for fans after his health battles.

Our insider said: “It is heartbreaking to think about the stress that Ozzy and Sharon went through in those last few weeks. Ozzy had worked his a** off to get himself to a place where he could at least stand up and wave to fans. But for shows of that magnitude, if the artists do not meet the insurers’ satisfaction of risk liability then the show doesn’t go ahead.

“With the Parkinson’s and the walking issues, no insurance agent would agree to let Oz stand. So to overcome that, and not have a huge insurance premium on the charity show, they secured a deal to have him safely locked in his throne. It was a brilliant compromise. It really speaks so much to Sharon’s drive and focus to get it all pulled off, because of the liability issues. She was a miracle worker.”

Ozzy had spoken of being in heavy duty training sessions three times daily to “be ready to play”. He even said a personal trainer moved into his home. Ozzy was last seen walking slowly inside and outside of the Comic Con Midlands at Birmingham's NEC. He had a walking stick but moved slowly unaided as wife Sharon and son Jack were seen by members of the public with him a week before his death.

Sabbath band mate Tommy Iommi touched on the last minute stresses and technical challenges during an interview with Sirius XM after BTTB. He revealed that Ozzy’s performance was uncertain even with days to go before the show.

Tommy, 77, admitted: “It was making it up as we went on really. It was really a case of how long Ozzy could do it really. Because we didn't know with him doing his own set, which I said to him, I didn't think he should do because I didn't want him to get burned out by the time he'd come with us. But he didn't and he did his own set. We ended up doing four songs but we had put aside sort of six or seven. But it worked out that we did four, so that was fine."

Ozzy's family announced he had died in statement on Tuesday which shocked the music world. The statement said: "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. 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."

In his final days, cameras had been following Ozzy for BBC series, Home To Roost. It is now expected to be released in memory of the star.

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