ROCK star Ozzy Osbourne helped fix it for cancer sufferer Jimmy Hamer in a surprise phone call.

Ozzy fan Jimmy was shocked to hear his Brummie hero on the other end of the line as The Prince of Darkness became a prince of kindness.

Jimmy's wish came true thanks to Jenny Purcell and Dianne Hodkinson who worked for days to track down the former Black Sabbath frontman and star of MTV's The Osbourne's as a thank-you gesture.

Jenny has been working with Dianne to produce the Recycling Boys Calendar 2005, which saw Jimmy stripped naked to pose as Mr September.

Jimmy, 47, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, who worked for the Sita depot in Colne before discovering he had prostate cancer, teamed up with his fellow workers at other sites in Barnoldswick, Burnley, Padiham and Great Harwood to help create the saucy fundraising calendar.

The father of six, who is married to Lynn, 45, said: "It has been one of the best days of my life. I'm absolutely buzzing.

"I kind of knew he would be ringing but it was still a big shock when he actually did. Lynn was on the other line to somebody from an insurance company and said 'I'll have to go we've got Ozzy Osbourne on the other line'.

"I bet they thought she was nuts but it was brilliant being able to talk to him. He was asking me about my illness and telling me how he helped Sharon when she had colon cancer.

"I was cracking jokes with him about him saying it's taken him 18 years to take his son fishing. He was a gentleman, I don't think he swore once."

He added: "Ozzy is an inspiration. The way he has risen from his drug taking, rebellious, rock and roll star days to the kind and generous family man he is today is inspiring.

"I'm a lot like Ozzy. When I discovered I had cancer three months ago it made me re-assess my life and realise just how important my family are to me.

"I never spent much time just talking to the children or telling them how much I loved them because I was so wrapped up in work and other things.

"Now I feel like I've fallen in love with my wife again and I've been given a new purpose in my life. They are all so special to me and I see that in Ozzy."

Jimmy said Ozzy has vowed to sign a calendar which they will be able to auction off to help raise funds for the cancer support group, Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends.

The calendar was officially launched on Saturday, with the help of Emmerdale's Carl Davies aka Robert Sugden.

Jenny said: "It took days of ringing round trying to get in contact with Ozzy's agent. We eventually tracked them down and agreed that he would give Jimmy a call.

"Jimmy got the shock of his life. It was such a nice thing to do as Jimmy is a wonderful person. We are just glad that we've helped put a little bit of cheer into his life and fixed it for one of Jimmy's dreams to come true."