What kind of a world are we living in, where even the Iron Man's home is not sacred anymore? It's a peculiarly dismal day when The Guardian reports that 55-year-old rock legend Ozzy Osbourne's house was broken into by two thieves. Despite valiant efforts from the Black Sabbath frontman, the thieves escaped with more than �1m of jewellery.

The men used a ladder to get into Ozzy's estate in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, at about 4 am yesterday. The jewellery was stolen from a room on the first floor.

Loud noises awoke Osbourne and wife Sharon, prompting what seems to be a rather theatrical chase. It was initially reported that Ozzy grabbed one of the burglars, but later clarified that the man escaped by risking a 10 metre fall through a window.

"Police believe the burglar who escaped would have been injured after jumping from the window," said a spokesperson for Thames Valley police.

The man who jumped was described as being of large build, and wearing a ski mask, a light-coloured jacket and trainers. There was no description of the second man.

Police said the men were driving a large vehicle, possibly a van, and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen one leaving Chalfont St Peter at high speed. Osbourne and his wife are living at the 18th century mansion while she appears in  ITV's reality show The X Factor. Kids Jack and Kelly were not around at the time of the incident.

Osbourne and his family have enjoyed massive international attention over the last few years, thanks mainly to a seemingly contrived fly-on-the-wall mockumentary detailing their domestic life. The Osbournes, which ran for three series on MTV, reportedly earned the family �46m. Ozzy has confirmed, however, that there will not be another season.

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