For Sharon Osbourne, the pull of being a reality show judge was just too strong. It’s been confirmed that she will rejoin Simon Cowell’s U.K. version of The X Factor.
The news was expected and comes just after Tulisa Contostavlos confirmed that she will not be back, notes The Hollywood Reporter. Osbourne, the wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, will join Gary Barlow of Take That, Nicole Scherzinger and manager Louis Walsh on the judge’s panel. Dermot O’Leary is also coming back to host.
According to The Huffington Post UK, Osborne worked on the X Factor U.K. when it began in 2004. She left in 2007 and was replaced by Cheryl Cole.
“Three words I never thought I'd say.... Welcome back Sharon!” Cowell said in a statement.
“I couldn’t be happier about coming back for the 10th anniversary of X Factor,” Osbourne said. “I can’t wait to give Gary Barlow a big hug, sit next to the gorgeous Nicole, and of course throw water on dear Louis. Yay!”
The X Factor airs on ITV in the U.K. For the show’s 10th series, singers will have to audition first for the judges and then in an arena to show how they can handle performing before an audience.
Osbourne went on to judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, but she left after the 2012 season. She got embroiled in a dispute with the network, claiming that they discriminated against her son Jack, keeping him from competing in a reality show. NBC denied the allegations, but Osbourne quit the show. She will be replaced by Heidi Klum and Spice Girls singer Mel B for the 2013 season.
image: NBC