Ozzy Osbourne's final farewell show is nearing, with Black Sabbath due to perform one last time in Birmingham on July 5 - and then the 76-year-old rocker faces the daunting prospect of retiring. It comes after a career spanning almost six decades, and wife Sharon is concerned that his mental health could hit the rocks after resigning himself to a future without touring.

The heavy metal frontman, who once bit the head off a bat onstage, sparking rabies fears, now has chronic pain from back problems, alongside Parkinson's Disease. However, his wife found a way to ward off his depression. "Sharon could see I was in Doom Town, and she said to me, ‘I’ve got an idea…I want to get some ponies, chickens, a million dogs,'” he recalled in the Guardian.

He confirmed he has now plans to open up a dog and horse rescue centre from his home as a project to focus on during his retirement.

His lifestyle has changed completely since his Black Sabbath days, with the man once known as the Prince of Darkness now describing himself as a "homebody".

Ozzy added that he never drinks these days, avoids going to bars and has sworn off drugs altogether.

It comes after an earlier period when he admitted to taking psychedelic drugs such as LSD almost every day for two years running, among other substances, and even threatened to murder Sharon while under the influence.

He also previously admitted to shooting at family pets while on drugs, including 17 cats - but now that he's tee-total and has taken a step back from the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, Sharon claims that rescuing animals could be the right way forward for him.

Last year, Ozzy shared a tribute to his Pomeranian dog Rocky, who died after 15 years in his care - and he's just one of many animals he and Sharon have adopted over the years.

Until his rescue centre dreams come true, it's the comeback concert on July 5 which he says will "give me a reason to get up in the morning".

He's expected to play a short solo set, followed by a longer performance with his former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.