Sharon Osbourne is demanding a payment of tens of millions to quit her job as co-host on The Talk, amid allegations that she made racist comments.
CBS’s daytime chat program remains on hiatus until at least March 29, while network executives investigate the charges against Osbourne, which she vehemently denies.
The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended his friend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Now, a confidant says Osbourne will strictly enforce the terms of the contract if she is forced to leave the program.
“She has a contract and they will have to pay her if they want her to leave, and it will cost them tens of millions,” a person close to Osbourne told The Sun. – If the bosses expect her to go quietly , they have something else on the way.
Sharon Osbourne (center) is demanding a payment of tens of millions to quit her job as co-presenter on The Talk, amid furious allegations that she made racist comments
CBS’s daytime chat program remains on hiatus until at least March 29, while network executives investigate the charges against Osbourne (above), which she vehemently denies
The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended his friend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Osbourn and Morgan are seen together above
The person added: ‘She is furious at the number of accusations made against her and refuses to give in to the growing pressure to leave.’
“As far as she is concerned, she apologized for the debate on the air and did nothing more wrong,” added the source.
During an episode of The Talk that aired a week and a half ago, Osbourne came to the defense of his friend Morgan in relation to his criticisms of Markle, which led her to say: ‘I’m sorry that I’m about to be put in the chair electric because I have a friend, who a lot of people think is racist, so does that make me racist? ‘
This led to a fight with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who was surprised by the ferocity of Osbourne’s defense.
Since that moment, a series of allegations about Osbourne’s behavior have obscured his future with the show.
One of the charges 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 has an opinion or a story like the story of wonton,” Osbourne told DailyMail.com earlier this week. ‘It’s like f ** k off with his f ** king wonton story. F ** k off! ‘
Osbourne (left) angrily denied claims that he called former host Julie Chen (right) ‘wonton’ and ‘slanting eyes’ behind The Talk
The Talk was scheduled to return to radio on March 22, presumably with all the regular presenters in their seats – but PEOPLE reported this weekend that the program will remain on hiatus until at least March 29.
Osbourne defended himself even more last week, telling DailyMail.com: ‘Sure, it’s a pile. People want to put firewood on the fire and that comes with the territory and that’s fine. ‘
A report by Yashar Ali also claimed that Osbourne called former co-host Sara Gilbert a ‘fish eater’, among other things; Gilbert is a lesbian.
Osbourne was also accused of calling former hosts Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete a ‘ghetto’.
‘In situations like this, you will always have people with whom you have had disagreements in the past, people who have axes to grind, who leave the den and go out with their BS and that’s it. It doesn’t surprise me at all. It doesn’t surprise me, ”said Osbourne.
‘Being accused of racism is no joke. Now they get their sweet revenge. I can’t even solve it because they are children in a schoolyard. ‘
Piers Morgan, a friend of Osbourne’s, was part of the fire storm that engulfed the host last week
Osbourne believes that she will likely lose her job on The Talk after the investigation into her.
– I think they’ll use me as a lamb for the sacrifice and say goodbye. He is well. He is well. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m sure it will.
‘I don’t know what they are going to do. It’s a big, ugly mess. But I didn’t start it. I didn’t start. It depends on the show’s producers. ‘
Earlier this week, The Talk representatives released a statement about the show.
“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful work environment in all of our productions. We are also very attentive to the important concerns expressed and the ongoing discussions about the events on The Talk. This includes a process in which all voices are heard, complaints are investigated and appropriate actions are taken when necessary. ‘