Sharon Osbourne confirms she will not return for X Factor live shows: 'I really don’t think I’m needed'

The judge had been due to return later this year
Gone: Sharon Osbourne will not return for The X Factor live shows
Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
Natasha Sporn3 October 2018

Sharon Osbourne has confirmed that she will not return for The X Factor live shows this year because she “doesn’t feel she is needed”.

The fiery judge, who had been set to return to the ITV show later this year, announced the news in a Facebook statement on Sunday.

Osbourne explained on social media stating she "really didn't think she was needed on the show" after watching the competition so far.

She wrote: "After watching the new season #XFactor unfold, I’ve seen the new judges finding their rhythm and are doing brilliantly.

“Simon was so gracious to find me a spot on the live shows but at this point I really don’t think I’m needed and I would honestly feel odd coming in at this point. So I have decided to pass on the series this year.

"I wish the show continued success and as much as I love to get my face on TV you will have to do without me this season."

Boss: Simon Cowell
Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images

An X Factor spokesperson said: “The X Factor can confirm Sharon Osbourne has decided not to return to this year’s show.

“Sharon will always be a big part of The X Factor family and we wish her all the best for the future.”

The confirmation comes as reports claim her axe was due to her foul-mouthed rant against boss Simon Cowell.

First look at The X Factor Judges 2018

1/6

Reports in The Sun suggested Osbourne had been let go from her upcoming role on the panel after branding Cowell “a “f****** pain in the a***” who will do “whatever” to get his “f****** fat face on TV” before joking about “drowning” him.

Osbourne launched the expletive-laden rant on Sirius FM, a US radio station, last month and reportedly left the Syco boss fuming and her show future in jeopardy.

A source told the publication: “Sharon is going to try and spin this as her choice to leave, but after that disgusting interview there was no way Simon Cowell or the executives would have her back on the panel.

“Not only did she make shocking attacks on him, she s****** off the show itself and the lovely members of the public who decide to audition. Good riddance to her.”

The X Factor continues Saturday 5 October at 8.35pm on ITV.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in