MANCHESTER, UK – July 22, 2025 – What began as a high-energy night on Robbie Williams’ Britpop Tour 2025 quickly turned into one of the most emotional moments of the singer’s career, as news broke during the show that music legend Ozzy Osbourne had passed away at age 76.
Midway through the set, during a short interlude between songs, Robbie received a backstage update. Moments later, he returned to the microphone looking visibly shaken. He attempted to continue with the next number — but couldn’t.
According to audience members, the singer’s voice cracked as he tried to speak. Instead, he turned away, wiped his face, and quietly exited the stage without explanation.
A few minutes passed in silence.
Then the lights dimmed, and Robbie walked back out — alone, dressed in a plain black shirt. A grand piano had been rolled to center stage. The audience, sensing something was about to change, fell completely quiet.
“I never toured with him,” Robbie said softly, sitting down at the keys. “But I grew up with Ozzy’s voice in my ears. He was chaos, yes. But he was also comfort — and somehow, hope. Tonight, I’d like to say goodbye in my own way. Not with noise. With stillness.”
He then performed a stripped-down version of “Dreamer”, one of Ozzy Osbourne’s most introspective ballads. The rendition was raw, slow, and almost whispered — a sharp contrast to the electrifying hits that had filled the stadium earlier in the night.
By the final verse — “I’m just a dreamer, I dream my life away…” — many in the crowd were visibly emotional. Some held up their phones, but most simply listened, silently wiping away tears.
As the last note faded, Robbie whispered,
“That was for the man who lit a candle in my dark.”
And walked offstage without a final bow.VIDEO BELOW 👇
