The travelling heavy metal festival, co-founded by its late namesake Ozzy Osbourne and his wife/manager Sharon in 1996, is coming back following the Prince Of Darkness’s death aged 76 in July last year.

Although no performers have been announced, promoter Live Nation has confirmed that the event will make its comeback with a one-day instalment at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes on July 10.

The news cancels out previous statements from Sharon that Ozzfest will return at Villa Park – the Birmingham stadium where Ozzy played his farewell show Back To The Beginning, 17 days before his death – as the venue is undergoing construction work.

A US edition will follow on September 11 at Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California: one of the spots Ozzfest played on its first run 30 years ago. A Mexico City date will follow at Estadio GNP Seguros on September 18.

Special ‘Early Bat’ tickets for Milton Keynes will go on sale on Friday, November 6, at 10am UK time.

Sharon comments: “Ozzy was the first to launch his own travelling metal festival, and Ozzfest will always remain an important part of Ozzy’s legacy.

“Unfortunately, due to continuing construction, Villa Park won’t be ready for any live shows this summer, so we had to relocate to Milton Keynes. The choice was to move Ozzfest or postpone it for another year.”