OZZY OSBOURNE: 'I'm Alive Because I've Got A Strong Wife'

BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne, who relapsed into drug and alcohol abuse for 18 months a couple of years ago, credits his wife and manager, Sharon, for saving his life.

"I did a good job of being the living dead myself," he told Express.co.uk at at the ninth annual Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, which was held November 14 at London, England's Roundhouse.

"I'm alive because I've got a strong wife, I think. I didn't expect to live past 30 – I remember when I was 21 saying I would be dead by 40. That was all right until I was 39½."

Asked for any advice he'd give to young bands or his younger self, Ozzy said, "I'm not good at giving advice to anyone else. Drink more and take as much cocaine as you can. That's what I would tell my younger self."

Ozzy admitted that he relapsed into drug and alcohol abuse in a statement posted by the BLACK SABBATH singer on April 15 on his Facebook page. He wrote: "For the last year and a half, I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place and was an aasshole to the people I love most, my family. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober.

"Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing. I'm just trying to be a better person.

"I would like to apologize to Sharon, my family, my friends and my bandmates for my insane behavior during this period... and my fans. God bless, Ozzy."

Ozzy has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout his entire 40-plus-year career, both with SABBATH and as a solo artist, although in recent years he seemed to have achieved a steady level of sobriety.

Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the many years he spent drunk and high took a toll on his relationship with his kids — especially his son Jack. "The one downside about being the crazy guy of rock 'n' roll was the fact that I missed out on my children somewhat and they missed out on me," he said. "I had an argument with my son one time, and I go to him, 'Jack, what are you moaning at me for? You never wanted for a damn thing.' And he goes, 'Oh yeah? What about a father?' And it just kicked me straight between the legs and I was like, 'Good God.'"