X Factor's Sharon Osbourne Reveals Return Could Be In Jeopardy, As She May Need Back Surgery

'I wait another week and if it hasn’t fixed it then I have to have surgery.'

Sharon Osbourne has cast doubt on her future as a judge on ‘The X Factor’, on medical grounds.

Last year, Sharon made a return to the panel, alongside Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, with Simon Cowell reportedly keen to break recent tradition and keep the panel the same for next year’s series.

However, Sharon - who mentored 2016 runner-up Saara Aalto - has admitted this may not happen, should she require surgery for a back condition.

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Sharon Osbourne
Tara Ziemba via Getty Images

Speaking on US chat show ‘The Talk’, she told viewers: “I have a trapped nerve... and I had to have, what is it when you have a baby, an epidural. There was no baby, but I had an epidural and I woke up to no baby, just a bad back... That’s why I wasn’t in last week.

“I wait another week and if it hasn’t fixed it then I have to have surgery.”

‘The X Factor’ is renowned for its ever-changing panel of judges, which has never stayed the same for longer than three series in a row.

It looked like that could be about to change at the end of the last run, though, with an insider telling The Sun: “Sharon has really enjoyed the show this year and is desperate to go back.

“The panel worked well and she knows Simon would love to have the same line-up again.”

HuffPost UK has contacted a representative for Sharon for comment.

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Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne
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Sharon did say in December that her commitments to ‘The Talk’ could prevent her from signing up to the talent show again, explaining: “I’m signed to CBS and I’ve been with them for seven years with amazing women on ‘The Talk’ and it’s up to Simon to see if they’ll let me do it.

“My whole life is travel so if I hadn’t been here I would’ve been in South America with Ozzy so the travelling doesn’t bother me it’s that I had to keep going back each week for the show.”

'X Factor' Series 6: Where Are They Now?
(01 of24)
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Kandy Rain were the first act to be eliminated, finishing in twelfth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Kandy Rain(02 of24)
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Former strippers Kandy Rain were repeatedly dragged for their style during their short spell on 'X Factor', and the following year, appeared on 'Snog Marry Avoid', and they were given a make-under by POD.

They split soon after, and we're afraid they've not bothered the pop charts since.
(credit:BBC)
(03 of24)
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Rikki Loney finished in eleventh place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Rikki Loney(04 of24)
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Shortly after 'X Factor', Rikki joined several other former reality stars, including Andy Scott-Lee, Kavana and S Club Juniors' Stacy McLean in 'Gleemania', a travelling show slated as the UK's answer to 'Glee'.

According to his Twitter, he now lives in New York, which is very exciting, isn't it?
(credit:Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock)
(05 of24)
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Miss Frank finished in tenth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Miss Frank(06 of24)
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Sadly not one of the year's greatest success stories, Miss Frank split a year after leaving 'The X Factor'.

Here they are in happier times, switching on the Christmas lights at Welwyn Garden City.
(credit:Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)
(07 of24)
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Rachel Adedeji finished in fourth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Rachel Adedeji(08 of24)
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Rachel wasn't on 'The X Factor' long, but made a lasting impression on viewers, largely due to the way the voiceover man said her name each week, and the fact she fell over at Bootcamp.

Still, she's been able to carve a new career for herself since 'X Factor', and in 2016, joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks' as Lisa Loveday.
(credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
(09 of24)
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Lucie controversially left the show in week five, after a sing-off against John and Edward... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Lucie Jones(10 of24)
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After making a name for herself as a stage actress, Lucie joined the cast of a touring production of 'Rent' in 2016, playing the exuberant and OTT activist, Maureen.

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(11 of24)
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Jamie Archer finished in seventh place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Jamie Archer(12 of24)
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As recently as 2015, Jamie was still hoping to make it in music, as this video of him "rocking out" on his official website proves.

His hair, as you can see, is also still epic.
(credit:YouTube)
(13 of24)
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John and Edward - somehow - finished in eighth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Jedward(14 of24)
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Staggeringly, Jedward are among the most successful 'X Factor' performers ever, despite being the original joke act.

The duo have released three (not unlistenable) albums since coming off 'X Factor', and represented Ireland not once but twice in Eurovision.

In 2017, they were brought into the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house as 'All Stars', six years after first taking part in the show.
(credit:Stefan Rousseau - PA Images via Getty Images)
(15 of24)
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Lloyd Daniels finished in fifth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Lloyd Daniels(16 of24)
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For a number of years after 'The X Factor', Lloyd was more likely to be found filling your Instagram feed up with selfies than anything else, but in recent more years, he's returned to performing.

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(17 of24)
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Danyl Johnson just missed out on the final, finishing in fourth place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Danyl Johnson(18 of24)
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Along with Lucie Jones, Danyl returned to our screens in 2017, with his bid to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest. (credit:Tom Dymond/REX/Shutterstock)
(19 of24)
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Stacey Solomon finished in third place... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Stacey Solomon(20 of24)
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Years after her 'X Factor' stint, Stacey was named Queen Of The Jungle after taking part in 'I'm A Celebrity'.

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(credit:Ken McKay/Rex/Shutterstock/ITV)
(21 of24)
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Olly Murs was named 2009's 'X Factor' runner-up... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Olly Murs(22 of24)
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He's done alright for himself, let's just say that. (credit:Tommy Jackson via Getty Images)
(23 of24)
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Joe McElderry won the show, but famously missed out on the Christmas number one spot due to a Facebook campaign... (credit:FremantleMedia Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Joe McElderry(24 of24)
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While it's often suggested that male 'X Factor' winners have a tough time once the show is over, Joe has been able to enjoy a successful career in showbiz.

Although no longer with Simon Cowell's label, he has four top 10 albums under his belt, and has won a new legion of fans by appearing on reality shows 'Popstar To Operastar' and 'The Jump' (both of which he won).
(credit:Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)