Ozzy Osbourne funeral latest: Birmingham procession to take place as Sharon, family and celebrity guests prepare for private service

If you’re not able to be in Birmingham for Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession, you can always tune into the livestream aimed at the Black Sabbath bench.

As you can see, fans have laid hundreds of bouquets of flowers, along with tributes, artwork and balloons, around the bench which has now been cordoned off.

There also appears to be a saxophonist performing to passers-by.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal has described Ozzy Osbourne as a “son of Birmingham” ahead of today’s funeral.

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 first eager metalheads have already arrived in Birmingham to see off Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal.

Thousands are expected to line the streets as Mr Osbourne’s coffin is driven through his hometown of Birmingham to a private funeral.

Below we have an explainer of everything you need to know about today’s events.

Read here.

Good morning.

The funeral of Black Sabbath frontman and metal icon Ozzy Osbourne will take place later today in his hometown of Birmingham.

Thousands are expected to line the streets to pay their respects to the affectionately known Prince of Darkness, who died at the age of 76 last Tuesday.

You can follow events from Birmingham here as they unfold.