Sharon Osbourne signs £1.5million deal to replace Tulisa on the X Factor
SHARON Osbourne will return to the X Factor following a five year absence, it's been reported.
The 60-year-old star has allegedly signed a £1.5million deal that will see her replace former judge Tulisa Contostavlos when the reality TV show returns later this year.
There had been much speculation that the fiery redhead was considering joining the panel and now it seems she has definitely made her mind up.
"Tulisa appealed to the younger X Factor fans but they could do with winning back some of the mature viewers - and Sharon fits that demographic perfectly," a source told the Daily Mirror.
Although £1.5million seems like a pretty decent wage, some reports suggest that Sharon has in fact signed a contract for £1.8million due to her £300,000 budget for first class flights between LA and London, hotels and her wardrobe.
X Factor bosses were said to be reluctant about her return at first because of the recent troubles Sharon has experienced with her husband Ozzy.
The mother-of-three has apparently reassured them that this will not get in the way of her commitments with the show.
"Sharon's been through hell lately so X Factor was not front of mind. But she loved the show and misses it," an insider told The Sun.
Sharon starred on the X Factor judging panel for four years until handing her notice in after an argument with Dannii Minogue in 2007.
Fans will be eager to see how she will get on with fellow judge Gary Barlow, who is currently trying to negotiate his own £1.5million deal.
Rumours also surfaced yesterday that former Spice Girl Mel B will replace Nicole Scherzinger on the panel, but that is yet to be confirmed.