BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne has commented on the recent announcement that his bandmate/guitarist Tony Iommi, was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma. During an interview that will be broadcast tonight on Ozzy's Boneyard - heard on SiriusXM Radio - the singer remarked:

"He needs more and more support. He doesn't have a brother or a sister - it's just him and his wife and the members of Black Sabbath. So any encouragement, any support. He's gonna beat it. What it's down to is determination and believe me, this guy's got more determination than anybody I've ever met. It's gonna be fine. It's just one of those trials in life that happen. When the bombshell hit about Tony's cancer problem I came to England. It would've been pretty bad if I would've stayed in L.A. When (producer) Rick Rubin found out he said I will accommodate wherever they are. He's gonna beat it. He's got so much support, not only from each one of us in the band, but the fan base it's unbelievable. And it's one of them problems you have in life. He ain't gonna die, I'm telling you. I told him if he dies, I'm gonna kill him."

Check out audio below courtesy of Metal Injection:

Speculation continues to run rampant that Black Sabbath have replaced original drummer Bill Ward. But these rumours still have not been confirmed by the band or management. The remaining trio - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler - are currently writing and recording the new album in Birmingham, while Ward waits until a “singable contract is drawn up."

In the meantime, Bill Ward's son Aron Ward has posted a lengthy statement on the BlackSabbath Fans Facebook Page. It reads in part as follows:

"The press is spinning this shit storm to read as if my dad has quit. This is not true. The guys know that. That's why they said the door is always open. My dad hasn't 'declined' playing with Black Sabbath or 'threatened' to pull out of this reunion. As he stated his bags are packed and he's ready to go. He say's it loud and clear, he definitely wants to play on the album and he definitely wants to tour. I know he's been committed to this project from the beginning all the way to the point everyone else flew off to the UK. When I saw him over the summer he had this little CD case with him that had all the rehearsals and song ideas. Each CD was sharpie scrawled with rough titles and ideas they had been working on.

About a month ago my dad called me to let me know that Tony had been diagnosed with cancer. He said they were all flying over in the next couple of weeks to continue recording the album in the UK and begin rehearsals for the summer tours. He'd been rehearsing more than I've ever known him to. Up till about three weeks ago he was working extremely hard and close with the other three on this album/reunion tour. He was in very good spirits and sounded excited to be writing with Tony, Geezer and Ozzy again. I know if they sort this shit out you guys won't be disappointed.

I've always stayed out of my dad's business and would like nothing more than for everything to be worked out swiftly between the guys. Unfortunately it's become personal with all these idiots slagging off my dad so this is for the fucking morons saying…"

Read more on the BlackSabbath Fans Facebook Page.

Fans are rallying around Ward and have launched a new Facebook page dubbed 1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes To Bill Ward.

Black Sabbath’s confirmed European tour dates are below:

May

18 - Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
20 - St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
23 - Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
25 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
29 - Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
31 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum

June

2 - Malmo, Sweden - Malmo Stadium
4 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
10 - Donington, UK - Download Festival
12 - Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
15 - Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
17 - Nantes, France - Hellfest
19 - Paris, France - Bercy
22 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
24 - Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal