NOTORIOUS Grimsby troublemaker Colin "Ozzey" Osborne has revealed he has just months to live, but that his marriage to a childhood sweetheart will give him his "happy ever after".
The infamous 64-year-old – well known for his drink-fuelled antics and numerous court appearances – was diagnosed with terminal cancer while in Hull prison last year.
News of his marriage to great-grandmother Kathy Watson on Thursday sparked a social media and internet frenzy – with more than 90,000 people reading the story on our website www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk and on our Facebook page within hours.
And while his antics – including drunken behaviour, exposing himself, and keeping a pigeon in his armpit – have opened him up to much public scrutiny and ridicule, more than 1,300 people "liked" the story on Facebook and very nearly all of the comments were congratulating the couple on the happy news and wishing them well.
For Ozzey's story is a very tragic one.
Hard-working, well paid oil refinery technician, husband and dad Colin Osborne's world changed forever in November 2000 when his beloved wife Tracey died of heart failure at the age of just 32.
His life spiralled out of control until he morphed into the homeless, unkempt alcoholic we all came to know as Ozzey.
He has appeared in court countless times for his anti-social behaviour, most recently in July last year when he was jailed for 18 months for exposing himself to two women and breaching his Asbo.
He is also well known in the town thanks to his many appearances on YouTube, one of which shows him keeping a pigeon in his armpit.
But Colin says all of that is now behind him, and he and his new wife plan to make the most of the time they have together.
Colin, who has been married three times before and has six children, said: "I've loved Kath since she was 14 and I lived opposite her on the Nunsthorpe.
"I thought she was beautiful.
"She's the woman I'm going to die with."
Speaking about his numerous criminal convictions, he added: "I've been in trouble in the past but I've never done anything wrong.
"I just wanted to make people happy."
The couple married at Cleethorpes Register Office surrounded by family and friends before heading to The White Bear, in Freeman Street, to celebrate.
"It's been a beautiful day," added Ozzey, who was suited and booted for the occasion.
Kathy, 67, said she knew all about Colin's troubled past but that "he's calmed down a lot".
The mum-of-five added: "I used to love him when I was 14 but we both went our separate ways and married other people.
"I always kept in touch with him and I used to go and take him food when he was on the streets. I used to worry about him.
"He wanted to get married before but he was on the streets and drinking.
"Since he got out of prison in February, he's started asking again and I decided to say yes.
"I always knew we were meant to get back together. He's the man for me."
Colin, who has cancer of the liver and pancreas, added: "They told me I've got six months to live so I'm going to make the most of the time I've got with my new wife."
Kathy said: "We're going to make his last months the happiest we can."
Follow us on Facebook and TwitterVIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures
