Osbourne 'in pole position' for X Factor return
Sharon Osbourne is "in pole position" to return to the 'X Factor' judging panel.
The outspoken showbiz matriarch - who quit the programme six years ago - is said to be Simon Cowell's frontrunner for a spot on the show after Mel B ruled herself out of the running.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Simon is not looking at anyone else. Simon is a huge fan of Sharon. Things are looking good for her. She is in pole position."
Simon is said to have opted for the 60-year-old star after signing Mel up to his other global talent shows, 'America's Got Talent' - on which she replaced Sharon - and 'Australia's Got Talent'.
If Sharon does sign on for the programme, a host of her celebrity fans will be delighted as many have spoken out to back her on the show.
'Xtra Factor' host and former runner-up Olly Murs said he would like to see her sitting alongside existing judge Gary Barlow, his Take That bandmate Robbie Williams and another, unnamed female.
He said: "I love Sharon Osbourne - it would be great to have her back. It would be great to have her and another girl on the panel but I'm not too sure who. Definitely Robbie and Gary Barlow though - that would be pretty cool."
And Stacey Solomon - who appeared in the sixth series of the show in 2009 - thinks Sharon would be "great" on the panel.
She said: "I've heard that rumour [of Sharon returning] - and I think she'd be great! Whenever they shake up the panel I always think: 'No!' But it always ends up working. They know what they're doing."
It has not yet been confirmed who out of last year's judges, Gary, Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Tulisa will return, though the latter has reportedly been axed.
