Last week, Black Sabbath announced the first series of dates for their farewell world tour. "I can't actually do this anymore," Iommi tells the Birmingham Mail. "My body won't take it much more."

The 67-year old - who was diagnosed with blood cancer lymphoma in January of 2012 - continues to have regular checkups on the health issue. "I have finished my courses of treatment," he says. "Now it's a case of keeping tabs on things. "I have the blood tests every six weeks, and then there's a bigger check-up every now and then to make sure that all is still well. I have my next one in a couple of weeks, and hopefully everything will be fine.