After cancelling tour dates and being admitted to hospital for flu complications, Ozzy Osbourne is facing even worse health news this week.
The lead singer for Black Sabbath was sent to hospital by his doctors last month after coming down with the flu and later developing bronchitis.
Concern that Osbourne, 70, could develop pneumonia led doctors to place him in an intensive care unit. But a source close to Osbourne told The Sun that doctors are optimistic.
Osbourne, who also starred on the reality series The Osbournes alongside his dysfunctional family, will have spent more than two weeks in hospital before his expected release sometime next week.
And this is just the singer's most recent brush with serious health problems.
In a statement last month, Osbourne said he was "completely devastated" to postpone dates om his No More Tours tour in Europe.
"It just seems that since October everything I touch has turned to s---," the famously foul-mouthed musician said.
"First the staph infection in my thumb and now coming down with the flu and bronchitis. I want to apologise [sic] to all of my fans who have been so loyal over the years, my band, my crew and to Judas Priest for letting you all down."
As some of you may have heard, Ozzy was admitted to hospital following some complications from the flu. His doctors feel this is the best way to get him on a quicker road to recovery. Thanks to everyone for their concern and love.
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) February 6, 2019
The infection Osbourne referred to in his statement also landed him in the hospital last October. Staph infections are common but can be deadly, and the singer's thumb swelled up to "the size of a ---- light bulb" from the three separate infections he caught.
Osbourne guessed that he caught his infections from shaking someone's hand at a concert in Salt Lake City. While he was in good humor at the hospital, his doctors were actually very concerned for Osbourne's health.
"I didn't feel sick, so I was cracking jokes," he told Rolling Stone. "The doctor said, 'I don't know if you realize, Mr. Osbourne, this is a very serious problem you have'... They're all extremely, deadly serious about it."
While Osbourne needed surgery for his infections ("It was agony.") he took the health scare in stride.
"It could have been a lot worse," he remembered. "I could have been dead."
But Osbourne promised fans that his current tour with fellow rock legends Judas Priest "will be completed."
Signs are promising that Osbourne is ready to start rocking again, as the upcoming Australian leg of his tour has not been pushed back at all.
