Sharon Osborne’s pal Howard Stern has claimed that she was paid to ‘keep her mouth shut’, following her row with X Factor bosses.
Last week, Mrs O finally released a statement confirming that she wouldn’t be returning to the show.
Speaking about her departure from the show, Sharon’s showbiz pal Howard has hinted that she was paid to make a quiet exit from the show.
“She basically s*** on his filthy head [Simon Cowell], because the guy is such a skunk. Maybe… if you get paid off or something — if you keep your mouth shut, you get money,” Howard said.
“Next time we see Sharon we have got to ask her about that,” Howard said on his self-titled radio show.
Howard also thinks Sharon may have been axed from the show because of her honest opinions.
He added: “They ask for an opinion. And look, I was on America’s Got Talent for four years, so I know the score. If you do give a real opinion they edit it out.”
“Sharon was just being honest. It is all horses***. That is why she is a good judge and that is why I love working with her.”
Howard’s comments come after Sharon fiercely denied she was fired from The X Factor in a statement on Sunday.
She said: “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. Loves ya, Mrs. O,” she wrote in a statement on Facebook.
Sharon’s departure comes just weeks after she launching into a scathing attack on Simon Cowell and his new X Factor judging panel on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Sharon branded Simon as a “f*****g pain in the a**”, before taking aim at the other new judges.
When asked who she would save from a sinking ship, she raged: “We would put a f***ing brick around his neck and throw him over. I will drown you motherf****r.”
The star also likened X Factor contestants to karaoke singers, saying, “Oh f**k. I don’t have to have those kids singing in my face.”
“Those little sh**s. They all suck. It is like, ‘hey is this f***ing karaoke or what?’ The thing is, it is the end of my contract now, it’s like no holds barred. It’s like get the f**k off the stage. You’re s**t. Get the f**k out.”