Commonwealth Games bull Ozzy unveiled at Birmingham New Street

Ozzy the mechanical bull, created for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games - has been unveiled in his new home.

The sculpture was met with loud applause and cheers from the public at New Street Station on Wednesday.

He had been named after Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne following a public vote last month.

Visitors including Sharon Osbourne saw the bull's first performance this morning, which involved him moving his head and swishing his tail.

Commuters were also joined by mayor Andy Street and boxer Delicious Orie as the bull was unveiled following a countdown, after being built behind screens.

"It's like breathtaking, this is mammoth, huge, but it's just brilliant isn't it," Sharon Osbourne said.

"For Ozzy to be born and bred here and having spent so much time in this station, because of course he didn't have a car, so he was everywhere from New Street," she explained.

"He would never, ever, ever have thought that at this time in his life, this would happen."

Network Rail said they had been testing the bull's movements and sound ahead of him meeting the public, to mark the games' first anniversary two days later.

The (33ft) 10m sculpture, previously known as Raging Bull, was due to be dismantled at the end of the Games, but won a reprieve after a public outcry.

Thousands of people came to see the bull when he was temporarily on display in Centenary Square during the 12 days of the Games.

He has since undergone a major redesign by his creators, special effects company Artem, to make him suitable to be put on permanent indoor display.

Visitors to the station were taking part in face painting, enjoying a brass band and dance performances to celebrate the unveiling, Network Rail said.

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