In a bit of unsurprising, but equally distressing news, the great Ozzy Osbourne was forced to cancel an upcoming appearance at a film festival in Arizona because he can’t travel in his current condition.
Ozzy was slated to show up at Phoenix’s Mad Monster Party next month at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa in Glendale, Arizona. Earlier today, however, his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne posted a video statement announcing that he wasn’t going to make the show.
“Regretfully, the Osbourne family have to cancel our upcoming appearance at the Mad Monster Party in Phoenix because Ozzy is unable to travel at this time. However, Jack will be there flying the flag for the Osbournes. Everybody who bought the Osbourne package will, of course, get full refunds.
“We would like to thank you all for your constant support. It means so much to him, you have no idea. And all I can do is apologize that we won’t be there and I’m apologizing for people we’ve let down from my heart. So God bless you all. Thank you so much.”
Like most horror conventions, attendees would have been able to pay a fee to get a photo op with the “Prince of Darkness” himself, but that’s no longer on the docket. In addition to the ticket to get into the event, there was a special “Osbournes: The Ultimate Sin Package” that cost $666 and was completely sold out According to the event’s site, that package included a chance for two people to have a photo op with Jack, Kelly, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.
As mentioned in Sharon’s statement, their son Jack will take Ozzy’s place. Photo ops with Ozzy’s son cost $60, which is a much lower rate than other celebrity photo ops like Jon Bernthal and Juliette Lewis who each charge $100 for a photo op.
It really is a bummer to see these events get cancelled more and more as time goes on. Ozzy’s an old man at this point and with his ongoing health issues keeping him from performing, it’s just sad to see things go this way. The guy’s a timeless legend through and through.