YOU could be forgiven for thinking you’ve spotted Ozzy Osbourne walking down the street in Woolston.

He’s stopped for photographs and autographs, even when he informs people of his real identity.

As British heavy metal band Black Sabbath prepare to take to the stage for the final time in Birmingham tomorrow night, Terry Cochlin will be at his home in Hampshire.

The 68-year-old has been stopped on the street for the last 20 years by residents thinking they’ve got a glimpse of the famous musician.

Terry, now retired, spends most his time mending trikes when he’s not posing for pictures.

Terry said: “I think I’m quite well known around Woolston now! I’ve always had the long hair and glasses to go with it and people have stopped me hundreds of times thinking I’m the real Ozzy.

“About two years ago I was at Allington Lane car boot sale about and a woman screamed because she thought I was Ozzy. Even when I told her who I was, she still wanted a photo – most people do.”

His daughter Kirsty Littlefield, from Thornhill, insists it’s all in good spirits, with her father loving being the centre of attention.

Kirsty, 30, said: “Some family members started to make the comparison and then he went out and bought jewellery, so he doesn’t help himself.

He’s got all the CDs and loves heavy metal, blaring it out of his house.
“He loves to pose for the photos with the attention he gets. He’s happy to give people the autographs and I think it’s just good fun.”

Terry said: “I guess I wear a lot of black, I just don’t like colour that much. The leather jackets and everything, that was me. Through the sixties and seventies though, everyone used to do it. 

“I’ve been a Sabbath fan since they began all those years ago, I’m happy to look like Ozzy.”

Black Sabbath, often cited as the inventors of heavy metal, formed in Birmingham in 1968 have sold more than 70 million records worldwide.

Ozzy’s wife Sharon also rose to stardom in her own right, appearing for many years as a judge on ITV’s X Factor.

The band, whose hits include Paranoid, The Wizard and Iron Man, will be performing their farewell gig tomorrow night in Birmingham’s Genting Arena.