Six years after Sharon Osbourne left her seat on the panel, she is set the return to X Factor. Next week, the feisty reality star will be unveiled as a new judge after agreeing to a £1.5million deal. According to reports, Sharon will replace Tulisa on the hit show, and ITV bosses have already drawn up a draft statement confirming her reappointment. Tulisa's management have been informed that she is not "foremost in their minds" for a return.
"Sharon and TV bosses feel there is very much unfinished business following her first stint on the show — and are delighted she has agreed to return," a source said. "It was never about the money for Sharon. She genuinely loves the programme and considers her previous time on the panel as being a very fulfilling time in her life. "Despite her ups and downs with Simon Cowell over the years, she has always remained a part of the family, and the pair of them currently enjoy a really close friendship. "Simon hopes that the show will be "revitalized" by the return of Sharon — whose husband Ozzy Osbourne recently admitted he was struggling with his addictions.Viewers were captivated back in 2007 when she went head-to-head with fellow judge Dannii Minogue. Outspoken Sharon and newcomer Dannii were soon at loggerheads, and their onscreen fireworks kept fans coming back for more. Sharon later admitted that it was because of the Australian star that she decided to leave the show.
"Simon knows that Sharon ruffles a fair few feathers — and he hopes deep down she will do the same on this year's panel," a source told the Mirror.Nicole Scherzinger, 34, Gary Barlow, 42, and Louis Walsh, 61, are all expected to return to the X Factor with Sharon. Nicole has previously said she'd be delighted if Sharon did rejoin the panel. "Sharon is the first woman who introduced me the X Factor and brought me on as a guest judge, so I'm Team Sharon all the way," she said. "She's a righteous mama. I love and adore her."
