Ozzy Osbourne hid Parkinson’s diagnosis for a year after admitting he ‘ran out of excuses’ to keep disease a secret

OZZY Osbourne has revealed he has Parkinson's disease in an emotional interview with his wife Sharon.

The 71-year-old told Good Morning America that he couldn't hide his health struggles any longer after 2019 was the most painful year of his life.

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Ozzy has been secretly suffering after being told the devastating diagnosis last February and he is now on a "whole host" of medication to treat his nerve pain.

His health nightmare began when he suffered a fall last year and had to undergo surgery on his neck.

After the surgery he experienced nerve pain and ever since doctors have been struggling to work out if the fall, the surgery or the Parkinson's are to blame for his pain.

"It has been terribly challenging for us," he said of the last year.

"I had to have surgery on my neck which screwed all my nerves."

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"I found out that I have a mild form of...." Ozzy broke off leaving his ever-present wife to finish his sentence.

Sharon jumped in: "It's Parkin 2 which is a form of Parkinson's. There are so many different types of Parkinson's.

"It's not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination but it does effect the nerves in your body.

"It's like you'll have a good day, then a good day and then a really bad day."

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Ozzy continued: "A year ago I was in a terrible state.  I'm on a host of medication, mainly for the surgery.

"I've got numbness down this arm and my legs are going cold. I don't know if it's the Parkinson's or what. That's the problem."

Parkin 2 cannot be cured, but treatments are available to minimise symptoms — although it is steadily degenerative.

Experts say the variety Ozzy has is one of the slowest developing types — but the long-term prognosis varies significantly between cases.

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The couple have exhausted the medical options in the US and will travel to Switzerland in April to seek advice from a professor who specialises in Parkinson's.

"We're going to go wherever we can go to find answers," Sharon said.

Ozzy added: "We're lucky we can afford to do that."

The rocker said he felt "guilty" hiding the diagnosis from fans after cancelling a string of gigs - which are now planned for late this year.

"To hide something is hard - you never feel proper," he said.

"You feel guilty. I'm no good with secrets. I cannot walk around with it anymore.

"It's like I'm running out of excuses.

"I feel better now that I have owned up to the fact that I have a case of Parkinson's."

He is now determined to get better so he can get back on the road.

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"This is the longest he's ever been home. He really needs to get back out now," Sharon said.

Ozzy added: "I just can't wait to get well and get on the road again that's whats killing me. I need it you know - that's my drug.

"I ain't going anywhere yet."

Yesterday the star was dressed casually as he headed out on West Hollywood with his wife Sharon, 67, wearing jeans, a black coat, and Gucci loafers.

He added an attention-grabbing pair of rainbow socks, with his famous long hair loose around his shoulders.

Sharon also dressed down in a pair of bright blue, baggy jeans, and a black jacket with gold detailing.

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Last February, the rock icon was rushed to hospital following complications from the flu, which forced him to postpone part of his tour.

The tour ended up being cancelled entirely in April when he suffered a fall in his home.

Discussing the fall, Ozzy shared: "When I had the fall it was pitch black, I went to the bathroom and I fell.

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"I just fell and landed like a slam on the floor and I remember lying there thinking: 'Well, you’ve done it now', really calm.

"Sharon called an ambulance. After that it was all downhill.

"It wasn’t really a problem for a while. I never noticed any different. Sharon was saying: 'Are you okay? You seem different'."

The Osbourne family previously with the star keen to set the record straight once and for all.

Charities praised the star’s courage in coming forward about his condition.

Steve Ford, Chief Executive at Parkinson’s UK, said: "Ozzy Osbourne bravely speaking about his Parkinson’s diagnosis and his journey to ‘owning it’ will do so much to raise awareness of this much misunderstood condition.

"With more than 40 symptoms, Parkinson’s is unpredictable and undoubtedly throws up new challenges, but with the right treatment and support we can help people to take control of their lives.

"Ozzy is now part of a community of 145,000 people in the UK who live with Parkinson’s and urgently need a breakthrough treatment, which we are getting closer to every day.

"We would encourage people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s to speak to their GP or specialist to explore the best options for treatment and managing their Parkinson’s."