Yahoo News Simon Cowell weighs in on Sharon Osbourne and Amanda Holden feud
Britain's Got Talent boss Simon Cowell has weighed in on the rift between Sharon Osbourne and Amanda Holden, confirming that he is good friends with both women.
Earlier this month, Osbourne, aged 71, took to Twitter, formerly X, in response to a Daily Mail article in which Holden seemed to allude to her past comments on Celebrity Big Brother regarding Cowell's ability to maintain friendships. Osbourne returned to our screens on ITV alongside Louis Walsh for this year's refreshed Celebrity Big Brother series.
Meanwhile, Holden, 53, who sits alongside Simon on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel, was reported as saying she "hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon" and pointed out that he had been instrumental in their careers. Britain's Got Talent, meanwhile, returned to ITV last night (Saturday April 20).
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Cowell said: "If you put Sharon and Louis in the house, that's what you pay them for, they're going to be controversial. I still consider Sharon and Louis really good friends, we could pick up the phone to each other tomorrow."
"I think that's probably one of the things they're upset about, because they can never get hold of me. Amanda is a great friend, but I really do believe Sharon and Louis are great friends as well."
"I don't have a phone but from what I heard, what they said about me was actually quite funny. And I probably will phone them both in the next week or so because I haven't spoken to them for a while and it sounds like I should do."
In her retort, Osbourne noted that Holden was unaware of her "history in the music industry, my achievements, the artists I have worked with, the shows that I've produced, and my global celebrity", adding: "the brand of Sharon Osbourne is known worldwide". She stated that she's enjoyed an "blessed with an amazing lifestyle throughout my entire life", noting her residences in the US and the UK.
Attributing a quote to Holden in the newspaper piece, Osborne stated: "I hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon he's the person who's given them all the chances, given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn't have had." It's bitter and pathetic. It was like Cinderella with her two sisters in the background just stabby, stabby, stabby."
Holden likened watching Celebrity Big Brother's return to a scene from a "pantomime" and stressed the importance of having "respect for the opportunity that was given to you and the pay cheque that was given to you". Amidst Osbourne's stint on the ITV reality series, she and Irish artist manager Walsh, 71, made a number of remarks about celebrities including Cowell.
Ex-X Factor judge Walsh claimed that he hadn't been in contact with Cowell, saying, "I haven't talked to him at all, nothing, zero". Osbourne chimed in: "But that's Simon. He cuts you off. He doesn't know how to keep friends."
Cowell went on to tell the Mirror about a second TV talent show he has in the works, which he hopes will feature former colleague Cheryl, following their recent reunion on Ant And Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. "Cheryl was brilliant on the show, great to work with, really good fun and there might be something coming up where we might be working together, funnily enough," he shared.
"I can't tell you much at the moment. I don't think it will be on a streaming service, this one, and it won't be X Factor. But it will be TV because Cheryl is great on TV. She's fantastic."
