The pair were involved in a public war of words earlier this month after Ward said he couldn't consider a return to the metal icons for their farewell tour unless Ozzy performed a "righting of wrongs" over allegations he'd made about the drummer's abilities.

The vocalist refused to entertain the suggestion and told the sticksman: "Stop playing the victim," leading to an apparent closure of the door on a reunion.

Now Ward has discussed a period in May last year, after he'd undergone shoulder surgery, when he made a public appearance in the US to launch his artwork series.