Sharon Osbourne to Return to X Factor, as 'Desperate' Simon Cowell Agrees £2m Deal

Sharon Osbourne has agreed to return to The X Factor, after being offered a £2m deal by Simon Cowell. According to the Sunday People, Cowell is keen to bring the 60-year-old former judge back to help boost ratings.

Osbourne, who quit the ITV talent programme after the 2007 season, will now become the highest-earning judge in the history of the show.

"Sharon will be an X Factor judge and it is only a matter of days before the deal is finalised," a source confirmed, "She is being paid a hefty sum of £2 million as Cowell is desperate to have her on the show. She is also expecting to earn £500,000 more in book and publishing deals. There is no way she would turn down such a well-paid job."

Meanwhile, present judges Nicole Scherzinger and Gary Barlow, who are likely to return for the tenth anniversary special, are demanding £1.5m. Louis Walsh wants £1m.

News that Sharon Osbourne is likely to sign may have an impact on her marriage with Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne. The couple's relationship has been in trouble for a while and the latter's drug problems have not helped matters. However, the 64-year-old singer has confirmed that his marriage is not on the rocks.

"For the last year and a half I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober," he wrote on his Facebook page, "Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing. I'm just trying to be a better person. I would like to apologise to Sharon, my family, my friends and my band mates for my insane behaviour during this period.........and my fans. God Bless, Ozzy"