Sharon: Ozzy's heart stopped for 2 minutes

Ozzy Osbourne nearly died after his quad bike crash, his wife revealed today.

Sharon Osbourne said the rock star stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating for nearly two minutes. He was saved by a security guard who gave him the kiss of life and a heart massage, she said.

Ozzy, 55, was riding in the grounds of his home in Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, when he fell off on Monday.

The former Black Sabbath frontman broke his left ribs in eight places.

His collarbone was smashed, crushing a major artery and nerves, and a vertebra in his neck was also crushed. There are concerns he may have lasting damage.

Mrs Osbourne said: "This has been devastating for all of us. I would give anything just to have my husband sit up and talk to me. I would give up my career, my fame and money."

She attacked caustic Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell for suggesting the accident was a publicity stunt to boost sales of a Christmas single recorded with Ozzy's daughter Kelly.

Cowell today said he had thought Ozzy had a broken collar bone and nothing else. "I had no idea Ozzy was far more seriously ill. I wish him a speedy recovery and apologise unreservedly," he said.

Ozzy, whose profile rose after an MTV series about his family, remains on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough.