The 2022 Commonwealth Games at Birmingham ended with a bang, as we saw the comeback of heavy metal pioneers Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi, two of the founding members of Black Sabbath. Around 30,000 fans who were attending the closing ceremony of the 11-day-long muti-sport event, were left in awe when the ‘Prince of Darkness’ took the stage in what was a surprise headlining act of the closing ceremony. The band belted out one of their biggest hits, Paranoid, from their similarly-titled 1969 album.

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Another fictional group from Birmingham, Peaky Blinders, also took the stage during the closing ceremony. A dance routine, which is from the stage version of the TV series, entitled Peaky Blinders: the Redemption of Thomas Shelby, was performed to a cheering audience. Notably, this musical is the brainchild of Steven Knight, who is also the show’s creator. Redemption of Thomas Shelby is also scheduled to premiere at the Birmingham Hippodrome on September 27 as a part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

The closing act also featured a number of other musical acts, UB40, Beverley Knight, Dexys Midnight Runners, Goldie, The Selecter and Jorja Smith. Indian music fans were not left disappointed as Apache Indian, a bhangra-reggae act, and  Panjabi MC, belted out chartbusters.

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Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, officially closed the 2022 CWG with the words, Every four years, we endeavour to come together to celebrate our Commonwealth through sport”. He went on to add, “Thanks to the manner, style and enthusiasm with which you have competed, officiated, supported, organised and volunteered, you have, once again, brought the spirit and values of the Commonwealth to life”. The Earl thanked Birmingham because of how the entire event inspired people around the world and showed what united the Commonwealth. A total of 4500 athletes participated in the CWG this year from 72 different countries.