Birmingham Bull name decided after public vote
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games[1] 'raging bull' made famous during the opening ceremony last summer has been officially named by the public. It will now be known as Ozzy.
There had been 2,000 name suggestions which were whittled down by a judging panel to just four - Ozzy, Bostin, Brummie or Boulton. Around 28,000 votes were then cast to establish the people's favourite.
The new name was announced on BBC[2] Breakfast this morning ahead of the mechanical bull's unveiling at Birmingham New Street Station[3] next month. BirminghamLive also carried out its own poll with hundreds of votes for Ozzy as the readers' clear favourite.
Named after Aston Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal star previously called on fans to vote for Ozzy. On the naming he said he was 'blown away' by the support which saw 70 per cent of the vote go to Ozzy.
The bull's naming was part of a competition launched by Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail, said: "The bull was an icon of the Commonwealth Games[5] and we just had to save it, and give it a permanent home at Birmingham New Street station.”
The Raging Bull during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said tourists and local people will "marvel at the bull in the brilliant setting of New Street Station in the months and years ahead."
The finishing touches are being made to the bull by special effects firm Artem, which designed and built the much-loved centrepiece to last year's opening ceremony.
When it's completed it will be be shipped from its base in West London to the West Midlands and rebuilt on the concourse at Birmingham New Street station. A grand unveiling will take place ahead of the first anniversary of the Commonwealth Games.
A BirminghamLive poll also saw readers opt for Ozzy with Brummie coming in second, Bostin third and Boulton fifth after more readers said none of the names were right. They said it should remain known as the Raging Bull.
Stay up to date with the very latest from your Birmingham with our Birmingham News[6] Email Updates[7]
References
- ^ Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ BBC (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham New Street Station (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Fire Service firefighter missing in English Channel amid charity swim (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Commonwealth Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham News (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ Email Updates (data.reachplc.com)