Osbourne takes time off from Ozzfest

Ozzy Osbourne has confirmed he will be taking three weeks off as headline of the Ozzfest tour of the US to be with his wife Sharon as she battles cancer. He is likely to be missing from his namesake tour until the Denver date on 22 Aug. "This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make in my life, but I'm sure that everyone out there will understand," Ozzy told MTV at the end of last week. "I'm putting on a brave face here, guys, but I'm burning up inside. I have to go home." Sharon learned that what began as cancer in her colon had spread last week, and announced that chemotherapy would be needed. During Ozzy's absence from the tour co-headliner System of a Down will assume the top spot on a main-stage lineup alongside Rob Zombie, POD, Drowning Pool, Adema and Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society. "The Ozzfest is my baby, and no one is going to take my baby away from me," Ozzy told his team. "Keep Ozzfest going. We're going to get over this hurdle. We've gotten over worse before. Stick it out with me. I need you now more than ever." He went on to say that Sharon had arranged for fans who come out to Ozzfest during his leave to receive a free treat from concession stands on site.