Sharon Osbourne 'demands tens of millions to leave The Talk' as CBS extends hiatus another week over racism allegations
Sharon Osbourne is reportedly demanding a payout in the tens of millions to leave her co-hosting job on The Talk, amid allegations that she made racist remarks.
The CBS daytime chat show remains on hiatus at least until March 29 as network execs investigate the claims against Osbourne, which she staunchly denies.
The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan's criticism of Meghan Markle. Now a confidante claims Osbourne will strictly enforce contract provisions if she is forced off the show.
'She has a contract and they will have to pay her off if they want her to leave, and that will cost them tens of millions,' a person close to Osbourne told The Sun. 'If bosses expect her to go quietly, they have got another thing coming.'
Sharon Osbourne (center) is reportedly demanding a payout in the tens of millions to leave her co-hosting job on The Talk, amid furious allegations that she made racist remarks
The CBS daytime chat show remains on hiatus at least until March 29 as network execs investigate the claims against Osbourne (above), which she staunchly denies
The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan's criticism of Meghan Markle. Osbourn and Morgan are seen together above
The person added: 'She is furious about the slew of accusations made about her and is refusing to bow to the mounting pressure to leave.'
'As far as she is concerned, she apologized over the on-air debate and hasn’t done anything else 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 regard to his criticism of Markle, which led her to saying: 'I very much feel like I'm about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist?'
That led to a dust-up with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who was taken aback by the fierceness of Osbourne's defense.
Since that moment, a number of allegations about Osbourne's behavior have clouded her future with the show.
One of the accusations being investigated by CBS is whether or not Osbourne called former co-host Julie Chen a 'wonton,' an allegation that Osbourne says is 'crap.'
'Everyone's got an opinion or a story like the wonton story,' Osbourne said to DailyMail.com earlier this week. 'It's like f**k off with your f**king wonton story. F**k off!'
Osbourne (left) furiously denied allegations that she called former co-host Julie Chen (right) 'wonton' and 'slant eyes' behind the scenes at The Talk
The Talk was set to return to airwaves on March 22, presumably with all of the regular hosts in their places -- but PEOPLE reported this weekend that the show will remain on hiatus through at least March 29.
Osbourne further defended herself last week, telling DailyMail.com: 'Of course, it's a pile on. People want to add fuel to the fire and it comes with the territory and that's fine.'
A report from Yashar Ali also alleged that Osbourne called former co-host Sara Gilbert a 'fish eater,' among other things; Gilbert is a lesbian.
Osbourne has also been accused of calling former co-hosts Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete 'ghetto.'
'In situations like this, you're always going to get people who you've had disagreements with in the past, people who've got axes to grind, who come out of the woodwork and they'll come out with their BS and that's it. It doesn't surprise me at all. It doesn't surprise me,' Osbourne said.
'Being accused of racism is no joke. Now they get their sweet revenge. I can't even address it because it's kids in a schoolyard.'
Piers Morgan, a friend of Osbourne, was part of the firestorm that enveloped the host last week
Osbourne believes she will likely lose her job at The Talk following the investigation into her.
'I kind of think they're going use me as a sacrificial lamb and fire me. It's fine. It's fine. It hasn't happened yet but I'm sure it will.'
'I don't know what they'll do. It's a big, ugly mess. But I didn't start it. I didn't start it. It's down to the producers of the show.'
Earlier this week, reps for The Talk released a statement regarding the show.
'CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace across all of our productions. We're also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on The Talk. This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary.'
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