Ozzy Osbourne Postpones Start of Tour Due to Flu

The same illness that caused Ozzy Osbourne to cough so hard last week he broke a blood vessel in his eye is also delaying the start of the next leg of his No More Tours 2 farewell tour.

Ozzy has the flu, and thus will not be able to perform for at least the first four scheduled U.K. shows. 

The initial announcement came from Judas Priest , which is opening for The Prince of Darkness on this upcoming run.

Judas Priest added that the affected shows — Dublin, Nottingham, Manchester and Newcastle will all be rescheduled for a later date. 

"[W]e are very sorry that this has happened and to disappoint so many fans," Judas Priest wrote. "[W]e wish Ozzy well and look forward to the Glasgow, Birmingham and London shows together - and to the rescheduled ones in the future."

The last show Ozzy and his band performed was at the New Year's Eve edition of Ozzfest. The canceled gigs were to be Ozzy's first of a busy 2019.

Ozzy says he nearly died as recently as October after getting a staph infection in his hand — presumably from a fan — which forced him to cancel several shows at the end of the last leg of his tour. 

We've said this a little too recently, but get well soon, Ozzy.

Get all Ozzy's tour dates here . 

Photo: Getty Images