LONDON (CelebrityAccess) — Reality television star and music manager Sharon Osbourne has exited from her role as a judge on U.K. edition of “X Factor”.
In a statement, Osbourne said she was exiting the show, stating “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.”
However, British tabloids are painting a different picture, and claiming that Osbourne was not invited to return in the wake of an expletive-laden interview with radio host Howard Stern in which she insulted the show, its contestants and longtime judge Simon Cowell.
In the interview, which took place on Sterns SiriusXM show on Sept. 12th, she referred to Simon Cowell as a “f–king pain in the arse” who will do anything to get his “f–king fat face on TV” according to the Sun.
She also complained about the contestants, explaining that she had only signed on to judge the latter parts of the show and skip the auditioning phase.
“Oh f–k, I don’t have to have those kids singing in my face. Those little sh-ts. They all suck. It is like, ‘Hey, is this f–king karaoke or what?'” she said, according to press reports.
A spokesperson for the show only confirmed to The Sun that Osbourne was not returning and said “Sharon will always be a big part of ‘The X Factor’ family.”
Osbourne first appeared on “The X Factor” in 2004 as a judge, along with Howard Stern, but she left the show in 2008. She then returned in 2013, and she signed a three-year deal in 2016.
