[Smithy]

...briefly

Sharon Osbourne will reportedly return to The X Factor to help Louis Walsh at the Judges' Houses stage of the competition.

Osbourne quit the programme's panel two years ago but The Sun claims that she has been drafted in by Walsh to help choose his finalists for the live shows.

"Sharon knows she's only back briefly and is determined to stir things up and make mischief," said a friend of Walsh. "She wants to have fun and make her mark on this year's show.

"Louis is absolutely delighted that Sharon is coming back. They are great pals off screen and work well together. She is a great character with big opinions on everything and he has dearly missed having her around.

"But Sharon is also a very good mentor who will help Louis to choose his finalists and offer them great advice."

The source claimed that Walsh had to check with Simon Cowell if Osbourne could return for the his Judges' Houses stage, which will film at a property in Shannon, Ireland.

"Louis had to clear her return with Simon Cowell who is pleased because he knows she will be good for ratings," they said.

The contestants who successfully made it through Boot Camp will apparently find out tomorrow who their mentor is, before beginning to film the next stage of the competition.

The insider added: "They will get a shock when they realise Sharon is back."

I loved Sharon on the show, It was a shame she quit