As the headstrong matriarch of the Osbourne family, straight-talking Sharon has endured more than her fair share of controversy over the years.
Which is why Sharon – who starred on the X Factor panel from 2004 until 2007 before returning for the 2013 series – is able to offer sound advice to current judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. The singer, whose 17-month marriage to French businessman Jean Bernard is reported to be under strain, has sparked concern over her tiny frame and faced public scrutiny over her judging skills.
Speaking to Closer, Sharon says fellow X Factor judge Rita Ora has eclipsed Cheryl on the show and adds: “Cheryl needs to just ride out the storm. You can’t be the ‘It girl’ all the time – there’s always one girl that everyone wants to be around and interview, and that’s Rita right now. It comes with the territory, but it never lasts longer than five minutes. You can’t be everyone’s flavour of the day – it comes and goes in waves.”
Read the full chat in this week’s Closer – out now