Sharon Osbourne is reportedly demanding a payout of ten million to leave her co-presenter of work on The Talk, amid allegations that she made racist remarks.
The CBS daytime program is maintained at least until March 29, while network executives investigate the claims against Osbourne, which she vehemently denies.
The controversy began with an air debate in which Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Now a confidant claims that Osbourne will strictly enforce contract terms if she is forced off the show.
“She has a contract and they’ll have to pay her off if they want her to leave, and that’s going to cost them ten million,” someone near Osbourne told The Sun. “If bosses expect her to go quiet, they have another thing.”
Sharon Osbourne (center) is allegedly demanding a payout of ten million to leave her co-host of The Talk amid furious allegations that she made racist remarks
The CBS chat show over the day remains uninterrupted until at least March 29 while network executives investigate the claims against Osbourne (above), which she strongly denies.
The controversy began with an air debate in which Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Osbourn and Morgan are seen above
The person added: “She is furious at the number of accusations made against her and refuses to bow to the increasing pressure to leave.”
“As for her, she apologized for the debate on the air and did nothing wrong,” the source added.
During an episode of The Talk that aired a week and a half ago, Osbourne came to the defense of friend Morgan in connection with his criticism of Markle, which led her to say: ‘I really feel like I’m about to sitting in the electric chair because I have a friend, who according to many people is a racist, so it makes me a racist? ‘
This led to a dusting with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who was overwhelmed by the ferocity of Osbourne’s defense.
Since that moment, a number of allegations about Osbourne’s behavior have clouded her future with the program.
One of the allegations being investigated by CBS is whether Osbourne called former co-host Julie Chen a ‘wonton’, an allegation that Osbourne says is ‘shit’.
“Everyone has an opinion or a story like the Wonton story,” Osbourne told DailyMail.com earlier this week. ‘It’s like a f ** k with your f ** king wonton story. F ** k off! ‘
Osbourne (left) angrily denies allegations that she co-named former co-presenter Julie Chen (right) behind the scenes ‘wonton’ and ‘slanted eyes’
The Talk would return to the airwaves on March 22, presumably with all the regular hosts in their places – but PEOPLE reported over the weekend that the program will continue until at least March 29.
Osbourne further defended herself last week, telling DailyMail.com: ‘Of course it’s a pile. People want to add fuel and it comes with the area and that’s good. ‘
A report by Yashar Ali also claims that Osbourne called former co-host Sara Gilbert a ‘fish eater’; Gilbert is a lesbian.
Osbourne is also accused of calling former co-hosts Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete ‘ghettos’. ‘
‘In such situations you will always find people with whom you have had disagreements in the past, people who have axes to grind, who come out of the woodwork and they will come out with their BS and That’s it. This does not surprise me at all. That does not surprise me, ‘Osbourne said.
‘To be accused of racism is no joke. Now they get their sweet revenge. I can not even address it, because it’s kids in a schoolyard. ‘
Piers Morgan, a friend of Osbourne’s, was part of the firestorm that enveloped the host last week
Osbourne believes she will likely lose her job at The Talk after the investigation into her.
‘I think it’s going to use me as a sacrificial lamb and fire me. It is good. It is good. It has not happened yet, but I’m sure it will happen. ‘
“I do not know what they are going to do. This is a big, ugly mess. But I did not start it. I did not start it. It depends on the manufacturers of the program. ‘
Earlier this week, representatives of The Talk released a statement on the program.
‘CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace in all our productions. We are also very aware of the important concerns that are being expressed and discussions that are taking place about events on The Talk. This includes a process where all voices are heard, demands are investigated and appropriate steps are taken where necessary. ‘