Ozzy yesterday said his involuntary shuddering had become "markedly worse
over the last two years" and that he has had tests over the last few weeks
so the problem can be treated. "I was at the point where it felt as if this
problem was practically destroying my life along with my self-esteem," he
told reporters. "I was no longer comfortable being around people, which, as
you can imagine, is not the best trait for a performer."

Dr Allan Ropper, the chairman of the neurology department at Tufts University in Boston who is treating the problem, told reporters the tremor was "coming under control with medication" but added, "unfortunately, one of the side effects of the medication is dry mouth, which greatly impairs the voice. This problem usually subsides after three to four weeks, but the downside is that this will definitely affect Mr. Osbourne's ability to sing at this time."