Later this month, Ozzy the Bull, the star of last year’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, will be officially unveiled in his new home at Birmingham New Street station.

The unveiling will take place on Wednesday, 26th July, and will be accompanied by an exciting day of events, including face painting, a brass band, and dance performances.

26th July comes just before the first anniversary of the opening ceremony when Ozzy, who was originally named Raging Bull, was revealed to the world for the first time.

Ozzy is named after heavy metal legend and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who is originally from Birmingham, and the name was the overwhelming winner in a public poll.

Ozzy is a 10-metre-high moving sculpture and is currently being built behind huge hoardings on the station concourse. Most of the structure has been completed, and complex work will take place over the next two weeks to create and test his mechanised movements.

Ozzy’s first performance will be at lunchtime on unveiling day when passengers and station users will get to listen to him roar and see his moving head, swishing tail, and lit-up eyes.

After the opening ceremony, Ozzy went on temporary display in Centenary Square during the duration of the Commonwealth Games. Afterwards, a public campaign was started to save him from going for scrap and to keep him in the city.

Earlier this year, Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority announced that Ozzy would be saved, with Birmingham New Street station as his new home.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Network Rail chair, said: “Excitement has been building for months and the question we’ve had most is ‘when exactly are you unveiling Ozzy?’ It’s great to be able to confirm the date and set out our exciting plans to welcome our big beast back to Birmingham.

“We’re expecting visitors from far and wide to travel to the heart of Britain’s railway to see him. Judging by the response we’ve already had I’m sure he’ll prove to be a very popular attraction, which is great for the station, for the city and the wider economy.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It’s the news that we’ve all been waiting for and we now know when Ozzy’s hometown unveiling will be. This iconic Bull captured the spirit of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and has captivated our hearts as the works at New Street Station take place to welcome Ozzy home. I cannot wait to see Ozzy take pride of place – thrilling tourists and local people in the months and years ahead.”