Ozzy Osbourne fans’ joy after paying £666 for Comic Con meeting

Alice CullinaneBBC Information, West MidlandsBBCChristy Willison has been a Black Sabbath fan for greater than 30 years You may wait your entire life to fulfill Ozzy Osbourne after which 4 of the clan flip up directly.That is how issues went down at Comedian Con Midlands on Saturday when, one week on from Black Sabbath’s farewell gig in Birmingham, the so-called Prince of Darkness was again within the metropolis to supply followers a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly.Now, that is loads of Osbournes in a single go and for the uncommon privilege – plus a photograph alternative and autographs – visitors needed to pay a thematically-fitting £666.Some might say the expense was – ahem – batty, however for these pleased to pay, it was a “as soon as in a lifetime” factor, with some followers shaking with emotion after their encounter whereas others grinned with pleasure.Among the many followers who shaped a snaking queue on the NEC, and waited greater than an hour to get to the entrance, was Christy Willison, who mentioned: “I’ve seen Ozzy reside many occasions however I’ve by no means had the possibility to fulfill him, I have been a fan for 30-odd years.She mentioned she could not clarify how she felt after listening to Ozzy’s voice for the primary time in particular person as he requested for some water throughout the occasion.”I’ve waited a very long time for this, I am shaking,” she mentioned.Danielle Coulter took her first ever abroad journey from the US to see Ozzy OsbourneSome heavy metallic fanatics are nonetheless in Birmingham per week after the Sabbath gig, together with Danielle Coulter who travelled from Indiana within the US to look at the band.She mentioned she cherished visiting all of the Black Sabbath sights in “cool and hip” Birmingham, and mentioned the individuals have been “actually real and down-to-earth”. She may barely comprise her pleasure as she ready to fulfill Ozzy, describing him because the “metallic godfather” that “blessed us” with music. “I am so excited to be right here, I like Ozzy greater than something,” she mentioned. “Coming right here is my first abroad journey and I might solely try this for Ozzy.”Followers queued on the NEC in Birmingham as they patiently waited to see the starWhile meet and greet ticket costs have been already within the tons of for a lot of, some followers mentioned they paid about £1,500 for the chance.An autograph on an album or toy have been an additional £375 per merchandise, whereas a signature on a microphone or guitar would have set you again £750.Guidelines have been strict throughout the occasion because the Osbournes sat behind a black curtain, with them seen solely to those that had paid. Comedian Con Midlands mentioned that followers who have been unable to attend the occasion may pre-order photographs and autographs. Andy Coleman mentioned assembly the Osbournes was the “most surreal second”As Andy Coleman walked out of his photograph alternative, he was smiling from ear to ear and described the expertise as “surreal”. “They smiled and mentioned ‘thanks for being right here’ and that was it, however it was simply such a magical second,” he added.He mentioned he had waited fortunately for the assembly, including the occasion had given him the possibility to “spend extra time” with the household and that his photograph could be framed in his workplace.”I by no means thought I might get the chance to fulfill Ozzy, it was simply essentially the most surreal second,” he mentioned.