Elton John's sweet bond with Ozzy Osbourne as he attends Black Sabbath star's funeral

Sir Elton Johnshared a strong bond with his "dear friend" Black Sabbath star, Ozzy Osbourne, who is being laid to rest today. In news which left the singer's legion of loyal fans bereft, it was announced last week that Ozzy had died, aged 76, as his famous family admitted "mere words" couldn't describe their loss.

Paying tribute to his friend, Elton, 78, who will pay his last respects to Ozzy at his funeral in Birmingham later today, said the father-of-six was a "rock god" and a "true trailblazer".

Joining a host of famous faces, including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, in paying homage to the star following his passing on Tuesday, Elton wrote on Instagram: "He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx."

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The Sorry star, who has been pals with Ozzy for years, also sent a special message to his friend at the Black Sabbath farewell gig earlier this month.

Appearing on screen at Villa Park at which thousands had turned up to see Ozzy perform for one last time, Elton told the star: "You are one of the most remarkable singles of our time... You are the king, you are the legend.

“You’ve been through so much crap in the last few years.

"I hope this is the best day of your life so far.”

Elton and Ozzy shared a decades-long friendship as titans in their music fields. The I'm Still Standing star and Prince of Darkness icon no doubt found common ground as survivors of very public, decades-long battles with addiction - as well as being two of the most famous singers on the planet.

For Ozzy, Elton was a true friend who was there for him during his recovery from a horrific quad bike accident in 2003, according to Yahoo Entertainment.

“Elton told me to get off the couch and start walking, which was what I needed, as I couldn’t move off it for months,” the singer told the outlet.

“He was right. Elton is a sweetheart. He has phoned me throughout all this. He was at the house the other day with his two boys. They are great kids.

"They are such a good family. You would be surprised. When you are feeling miserable, you find out who is a friend and who doesn’t give a s**t."

The pair also collaborated on the power ballad, Ordinary Man, in 2020. The track features emotional lyrics, which focus on life and leaving a legacy as Ozzy poignantly sings: “I don’t wanna die an ordinary man.”

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