Any celebrity worth their salt has a rider with a ridiculous list of demands, and if Simon Cowell is to be believed, Sharon Osbourne’s is up there with the best of them.
The ‘X Factor’ boss has claimed his colleague has an “excessive” number of things she claims she needs written into her contract - although she begs to differ.
Open Image Modal
Simon Cowell claims Sharon Osbourne has the biggest rider on 'The X Factor'
Rex/Shutterstock
Speaking in a pre-recorded interview played at the ‘X Factor’ press launch, the two judges were asked who had the biggest rider, to which Sharon suggested it was Simon.
“Excuse me, I sign off on them. Yours is excessive,” he said.
“Excessive?! A bag of bloody almonds and a bottle of water?!” an indignant Sharon responded.
“Have you read your rider?” he asked. “Obviously someone else has prepared it. It is ridiculous.
“Let’s put it this way, you have to order a fleet of aeroplanes to fly you over now.”
“I wish!” she said. “I would love it. I wish my aeroplane could follow yours.”
Simon insisted: “Mine is very basic. It’s just water and a hairdryer. Louis’ isn’t far behind by the way.”
Still accusing Simon of being the worse, she continued: “Simon makes Mariah Carey look sad. J.Lo eat your heart out!”
Open Image Modal
Sharon claims she only asks for almonds and water
Rex/Shutterstock
Spreading rumours about Louis, Simon joked: “We’ll agree on one thing now, that Louis in his contract has to have a cosmetic doctor on 24 hour standby within 10 miles of whichever venue or studio we are working in. That is true. That didn’t happen 14 years ago.”
Simon and Sharon were not the only ones bickering at the ‘X Factor’ launch, as Nicole Scherzinger was less than impressed to hear Louis Walsh had been telling people she is lying about her age.
“I wish I was lying about my age!” she raged. “That’s the thing that sucks - I’ve never lied about my age.
“I should have started lying about it a while ago,” she joked.
Referencing Louis’ advancing years, she concluded: “You know what? I’m really grateful Louis is still with us.”
‘The X Factor’ returns on Saturday (2 September) night at 8pm on ITV.
X Factor's Most Controversial Exits
Lucie Jones (Series 6)(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
There were accusations of a fix when Simon Cowell saved novelty act Jedward over Lucie Jones when they landed in the bottom two in 2009, despite his prior dislike of them.
His vote sent it to Deadlock, with the results of the public vote revealing Welsh singer Lucie had been eliminated. (credit:Rex)
Amelia Lily (Series 8)(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
Amelia Lily was one of four contestants voted off in the very first week of live shows during the 2011 series, when a cruel twist meant each judge was forced to ditch one act each from their categories.
Viewers felt she was axed before her time, and voted for her to return to the competition when they were given a chance to choose a replacement for axed Frankie Cocozza, following his drugs scandal.
Amelia then went on to finish third in the competition overall, and egg was well and truly on Kelly Rowland's face. (credit:Rex)
Carolynne Poole (Series 9)(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
Just think how different the showbiz world would be today if Rylan had been voted off in week one of the 2012 series of 'The X Factor'.
It was a real possibility when he landed in the bottom two alongside Carolynne Poole. Her elimination was particularly controversial as there were claims a producer had told Louis Walsh to send to the judges' vote to Deadlock.
The fact Louis had chosen to save Rylan also prompted fellow judge Gary Barlow to walk off the show in disgust. (credit:Rex)
Laura White (Series 5)(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
'X Factor' fans were shocked when former favourite Laura was voted off the show during week five of the 2008 series.
It proved to be one of the greatest sing-offs ever when she went up against Ruth Lorenzo in the bottom two. But when the judges failed to agree on who to send home, it went to Deadlock and Laura was shown the door. (credit:Rex)
Maria Lawson (Series 2)(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
Maria's departure was the first ever 'X Factor' exit that proved to be a real shocker. She was favourite ahead of eventual winner Shayne Ward to win, before she landed in the bottom two in week five of the 2005 series.
After going head-to-head with The Conway Sisters in the sing-off, Sharon was the only one to save Maria, as Simon backed his own act, and Louis voted to keep the Irish girlband, obviously. (credit:Rex)
Ella Henderson (Series 9)(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
It was probably the biggest shock in 'X Factor' history when both James Arthur and Ella Henderson landed in the bottom two in week seven of the 2012 series.
After Tulisa and Louis voted to send home James, and Nicole and Gary voted to eliminate Ella, Deadlock was called, and it was revealed Ella would be leaving the competition, after receiving the fewest public votes.
James eventually went on to win the series, while coming sixth certainly didn't hamper Ella's future career, as she later signed with Simon Cowell's label. (credit:Rex)
Aiden Grimshaw (Series 7)(07 of08)
Open Image Modal
Having been in the bottom two a grand total of three times before, Katie Waissel couldn't quite believe it when a Deadlock situation revealed she'd polled more votes than Aiden Grimshaw.
Years later, we still feel Aiden was sent home far too early. (credit:Rex)
Gamu (Series 7)(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
Cheryl Cole (as she then was) went from national treasure to public enemy number one when she failed to pick Gamu as one of her final three girls in 2010.
Her decision proved particularly divisive as she'd put through Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd who'd both messed up their Judges' Houses performances, while Gamu had aced hers.