Ozzy Osbourne wins global icon award at MTV Europe Music Awards

Music stars have honoured rock legend Ozzy Osbourne at the 21st MTV Europe Music Awards in Glasgow where he was hailed “global icon”.

The Black Sabbath frontman watched as Guns N’Roses guitarist Slash and Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil teamed up for a fiery rendition of his 1980 hit Crazy Train at the SSE Hydro.

Osbourne was accompanied at the ceremony by wife Sharon who said she was “so proud” of the star.

US hip hop artist Nicki Minaj hosted the two-hour show which saw One Direction top the award list with three trophies for best pop act, best live show and “biggest fans”.

The boy band did not attend the awards but thanked MTV in a video clip, as did Katy Perry who won best video and best look.

US singer and actress Ariana Grande also picked up two awards for best female and best song for her hit Problem.

Pharrell Williams lost out on best male to Justin Bieber.

Introducing a montage of Osbourne’s ‘best bits’, including clips from his family’s hit reality show, guitar legend Slash told the audience: “For four decades the Prince of Darkness has rocked anyone who dared to listen.

“This is a guy who does not know how to do ordinary. He scares the hell out of most people and all bats. But to me is a gentle man and a gentleman.”

Collect the global icon award, Osbourne said: “I don’t know where they got this icon shit from but it’s good to be here tonight. God bless you all, thank you for coming.”

Sharon said earlier on the red carpet: “I’m so proud. It’s his night. I just want him to have the best time.”

The packed show featured performances by U2, Ed Sheeran and Alicia Keys, but DJ Calvin Harris pulled out on Saturday due to illness and is reported to have had a heart scare.

Biffy Clyro singer Neil said ahead of the show: “I hope it’s not proper heart problems. If it is, Calvin, get well soon.”

On teaming up with Slash he said: “I’m playing a song with one of my heroes, so I’m pinching myself every 10 seconds to make sure it’s not a dream.

“The thing about icons like Slash is that they put you at ease very quickly. He’s a legend and a real gentleman.”

Meanwhile Brighton duo Royal Blood said 2014 had been a “dream come true” as they prepared to perform their hit Figure it Out.

Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher said: “We have got to meet pretty much all of our influences and play with half of them, so we are nothing less than grateful for how fortuitous we’ve been.”

It was Glasgow’s first time hosting the MTV EMAs which have previously been held in London, Liverpool, Belfast and Edinburgh.

This year’s theme was time travel and there were nostalgic moments as clips were shown from some of the previous 20 ceremonies, beginning in Berlin in 1994.

Kilt-clad David Hasselhoff, who presented best female to Ariana Grande, said he was sorry not to be in the German capital for Sunday’s celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

The Hoff enjoys a successful music career in the German-speaking world and famously performed the song Looking for Freedom at the Wall in 1989.

He said: “I couldn’t be there tonight but I’ll be back in Berlin. They know my heart belongs to them.

“You know, I had nothing to do with bringing down the wall, I just sang a song about freedom and it happened to be the right song at the right time.”

Source: The Guardian