Journalist: I Have Nothing But Admiration For The Way SHARON Has Dealt With OZZY

Lorne Jackson of the U.K.'s Sunday Mercury recently conducted an interview with veteran heavy metal journalist Mick Wall about Wall's new book, "Appetite For Destruction", which features recollections of his wild times with many famous rock names, including Ozzy Osbourne, Axl Rose from GUNS N' ROSES, Ritchie Blackmore from DEEP PURPLE, and WHITESNAKE.

When Ozzy was in deep trouble in 1989, his wife Sharon went to Mick to set the record straight.

Ozzy, who was drinking heavily at the time, had attacked his missus. It resulted in his arrest, then he was thrown in the cells.

Later he was released on bail, under the condition that he checked into a rehabilitation programme at a live-in center.

While he was there, Sharon asked Mick to go and see him, to write an honest report about Ozzy's condition.

This kind of access gave Mick a profound understanding of the entire Osbourne family.

"I knew Sharon when she was just Ozzy's manager, before she became this big reality star," he tells Sunday Mercury.

"Sharon and Ozzy would always have everyone in stitches. Even at the time I'd say the two of them should be on the telly, maybe with their own chat show.

"But the boom in reality shows hadn't begun, so there wasn't really that avenue.

"I have nothing but admiration for the way Sharon has dealt with Ozzy. They might look like this wacky couple, now, but there were some tough times along the way.

"She's told me that she's had to drag his arse out of the gutter thousands of times, and that's not an exaggeration.

"Ozzy could be horrendous in the '80s. He would be fast asleep on top of a skip, sometimes.

"He'd also pisss the bed every night, and Sharon would have to drag the mattress down the hall.

"She's done an unbelievable job in saving Ozzy. And I'm so happy. Because Ozzy really was well worth saving."

Read the entire interview from Sunday Mercury.