[Noel]

SHARON Osbourne has sensationally quit the X Factor, The Sun can reveal.

The fiery telly favourite has walked off the ITV1 hit - just DAYS before she was due back.

Sharon, 55, was due to join Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue at the London auditions on June 12.

Her exit has left bosses looking for a fourth judge.

ITV chiefs put out a statement confirming that Sharon has gone.


Rows

It said: "Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The X Factor after four fantastic years.

"ITV thanks her for her immense contribution to the show and for all her humour, compassion and energy.

"She has been a tremendous judge and mentor on the programme but we respect her wish to leave and wish her the very best with her future projects."


We told last September that Sharon would not return for the fifth series of the telly talent hit following a string of on and OFF-SCREEN rows with arch-rival Dannii.

However, ITV chiefs had hoped they had swayed Sharon to make a comeback - and she was even haggling for a £500,000 pay rise last month.

But Sharon had still not signed her contract this week and today a show source said: "This is it - Sharon has walked.

"There are no more empty threats. She has left.

"We’re so disappointed, because Sharon is a major part of the show."

Source: The Sun