THE BEAST

Ozzy Osbourne has been forced to postpone the entire European leg of his "No More Tours 2" on doctors' orders. This follows yesterday's (January 28) announcement that the BLACK SABBATH singer was postponing the first four dates of the tour because of the flu. After seeing his physician again, Osbourne has been diagnosed with a severe upper respiratory infection which the doctor feels could develop into pneumonia given the physicality of the live performances and an extensive travel schedule throughout Europe in harsh winter conditions.

Ozzy said in a statement: "I'm completely devastated for having to postpone the European leg of my tour. It just seems that since October, everything I touch has turned to shit. First the staph infection in my thumb and now coming down with the flu and bronchitis.

"I want to apologize 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. However, I promise the tour with JUDAS PRIEST will be completed. It's being rescheduled right now to start in September. Again, I apologize to everyone. God Bless. Love you all, Ozzy ."

Concert-goers should hold on to their tickets, as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates (details of which will be announced in the coming months). Refunds are also available at point of purchase.

"No More Tours 2" tour resumes on Sunday, March 9 in Australia. Shows will follow in New Zealand and Japan before a two-month North American leg.

The news of the tour postponement comes just days after Ozzy said that he coughed so hard that he burst a blood vessel in his eye.

This is not the first time an illness has forced the singer to call off a round of dates. Last October, Osbourne contracted a staph infection that required him to have surgery on his hand and resulted in him canceling several shows.

The European leg of Ozzy 's "No More Tours 2" was being billed as the 70-year-old singer's official farewell to more than five decades of touring.

"No More Tours 2" is a reference to Ozzy 's 1992 "No More Tours" trek, which marked the first time the singer announced the end of his days as a touring artist. The tour name was a pun based on the title of his then-most recent solo album, "No More Tears" . Ozzy returned to action three years later and has been on the road ever since. Via Blabbermouth