'X Factor' judges back Sharon Osbourne return
Published May 27 2012, 09:13 BST | By Colin Daniels
The X Factor judges have backed Sharon Osbourne to fill the vacant spot on the panel.Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow endorsed the former judge to return to the show as Kelly Rowland's replacement, five years after she quit over her strained relationship with Dannii Minogue.

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Barlow ruled out former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell becoming a permanent judge, claiming she wasn't popular enough during her guest stint in Liverpool, according to the Daily Star Sunday.
It had been reported that she would be offered the permanent role if she proved a success on Wednesday.
Contostavlos said: "I'd love Sharon Osbourne to come back. She's the female boss."
Walsh commented: "I'd love Sharon to come back too. I always had so much fun with her."
Barlow added: "Sharon isn't a stupid suggestion. She'd be amazing. Like Tulisa said, she's the ultimate female boss. I don't know if she would come back. I don't really know anything about the politics.

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"I personally thought Dannii would be great too. The only thing is the show likes to move forward so that might be a problem. I don't think the audience liked [Halliwell]. She got booed.
"I like Geri, I've known her for years, she's got a good energy but I don't know if she should be on the panel, to be honest. But I'd give her a few more days."
Simon Cowell apparently wants Rita Ora as the new permanent judge to appeal to younger viewers and has enlisted her as a guest judge for Monday's auditions.
A source said that the job is "hers to lose" after she impressed bosses during meetings.
Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry and Rihanna are all said to have turned down the job. Nicole Scherzinger, Tinie Tempah and Mel B are the latest names rumoured to be filling in as guest judges.
Watch Dermot O'Leary discuss The X Factor 2012 below:









Sharon should return - Louis is lost without her. I liked Louis when she was around.. now he's just dead weight on the end. Godron needs to be back ASAP!
May 29th 2012 at 1:29pm
so basically a journalist asked the current three judges how they would feel if Sharon would return and they had no choice but to answered politely. Its not like they came out by themselves and said they wanted her back. So they are NOT 'backing' Sharon's return, they just answered a journalist's question! There is a difference lol
May 28th 2012 at 10:44am
She is vile and hasn't got a clue about music. Her acts were always the worst. I don't think this is going to happen but if she did return it will be the end of the XFactor. I certainly wouldn't be watching it again. the world has had enough of that aggressive horrible hag!
May 28th 2012 at 10:38am
The judges didn't say no though did they. Your opinions on journalism skills are about as interesting as your opinions on judges
May 31st 2012 at 10:41am
no not sharon please she seems really mean
May 28th 2012 at 7:09am
I cant stand Sharon. She was vile, sptieful and a great number of other unpleasant things even in Series 1. And again a complete nightmare when Danni Minogue was on the show. Having said that she would make it an entertaining series. Unless she has to decide between her own acts again and thorw a tantrum.
May 28th 2012 at 2:32am(+1 like)