There's been more speculation in the last week as to whether Sharon Osbourne will return on the next series of 'X Factor', partly because rumour had it she had been overheard back stage at the Brits saying she was quitting the show.
Gossipers say Osbourne is less keen to return to the show because of ongoing animosity between her and Dannii Minogue, who joined the expanded judging panel last series, of course. But other gossipers say it's all about the money, and Osbourne's future with the show isn't clear because it's not yet known if ITV will meet her increased financial demands. She, it's said, is even less willing to budge following her stint as Brits host - despite some criticism of that hosting - because she believes that job proved she doesn't rely on 'X Factor' for her public profile.
The Daily Star Sunday quote a source thus: "Until the Brits, Simon thought he had the upper hand and could dictate terms to Sharon. He wanted her back but he thought she needed the show more than it needed her. Now Sharon has other ideas. It has become an almighty battle of wills. Both Simon and Sharon are digging their heels in and, at the moment, it's difficult to see which way it's going to go".