The BBC Explains Why Their Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home Documentary Didn’t Air Yesterday

The BBC postponed the premiere of Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home – a new one-hour documentary chronicling the final chapter of Ozzy Osbourne extraordinary life, following the rock icon’s death last month – with no explanation yesterday. The film had been scheduled to air on BBC One and iPlayer on August 18, but was withdrawn from the schedule earlier that day and replaced with an episode of Fake or Fortune.

Now the BBC has issued a statement on the mystery postponement, saying it was at the behest of the Osbourne family: “Our sympathies are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time. We are respecting the family’s wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film. The new [transmission] date will be confirmed shortly.”

Titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, the film was shot over three years and was originally conceived as the series Home To Roost in 2022. As the health of Ozzy Osbourne declined, the project was reshaped into a one-hour special.

The documentary reportedly captures Ozzy and Sharon‘s long-held dream of returning to the U.K., while also chronicling the legendary frontman’s determination to regain enough strength to step on stage one last time. Alongside intimate reflections from Sharon, Jack, and Kelly, the film portrays both the laughter and the heartbreak of the Osbourne family navigating Ozzy‘s declining health.

Clare Sillery, the BBC’s head of commissioning for documentaries, described the project as: “An intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the U.K. It features family moments, humor, reflection, and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon. We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy‘s fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”

Producers Ben Wicks and Colin Barr of Expectation added that the project was both an honor and a privilege: “Ozzy wanted to make it back to the U.K. and appear on stage one last time — our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream. Ozzy was loved by millions not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty… One thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy‘s intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all.”

Ozzy Osbourne, co-founder of Black Sabbath and one of heavy metal’s defining figures, died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, following a heart attack. His death certificate revealed he had long been suffering from coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease.

The international rights to Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home are being handled by Banijay Rights, and it is expected to see wide release after its BBC broadcast date is confirmed.