Ozzy tops public poll as New Street bull's new name

Originally destined for the scrapheap after its starring role in last year’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, a huge campaign began to save the much-loved mechanical bull for the second city.

After spending some time underneath a tarpaulin in a car park, then going into storage over winter, this February Network Rail announced it could provide the perfect home for the big beast, pride of place inside Birmingham New Street station to be admired by thousands of passengers every day.

The West Midlands Combined Authority teamed up with Network Rail on a competition to rename the 10-metre moving sculpture, the public has made its final decision.

The first round saw 2,000 people send in their individual suggestions before Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Network Rail Chairman Lord Peter Hendy, shortlisted those to just four* - Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton.

Ozzy the bull being prepared ready for moving to Birmingham

The online public poll was open for seven days and closed at midnight on Tuesday (20 June), and in total more 28,000 votes were cast.

A landslide victory sees 70% of all votes going to Ozzy – in honour of the Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne who appeared as a surprise performance in the Games' closing ceremony.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “So the public have had their say on what we should name the Bull and they couldn’t have made a clearer choice. Ozzy won by a resounding margin with a whopping 70% after more than 28,000 votes were cast. 

“Like people right across our region, I cannot wait to see Ozzy take pride of place in New Street Station in a triumphant homecoming this summer – proudly bearing the name of the Prince of Darkness himself!

“My huge thanks once again to Network Rail for bringing the Bull home to Birmingham. The iconic symbol of the 2022 Commonwealth Games is back where it belongs.”  

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail, said:“Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to at first send in their name suggestions and then vote for their favourite in final four – it truly shows how much affection people have for this star of the Commonwealth Games.

“It also proves to us how much of an honour it is for Network Rail to be the custodian of Ozzy the bull, and for New Street station to be its home. I can’t wait for it to be unveiled on the station concourse in time for the first anniversary of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

The bull is getting its finishing touches by special effects company Artem in London.

It originally designed and built Ozzy as a one-off spectacle for the opening ceremony, and has been instrumental in making modifications so it could become a permanent attraction.