Ozzy Osbourne made his latest appearance in Los Angeles on Monday after US network CBS dismissed claims that his beleaguered wife Sharon will receive a multi-million dollar payout following her abrupt departure from The Talk.
The Black Sabbath singer, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, looked notably frail while walking with the aid of a cane.
Dressed in a signature black outfit, Ozzy, 72, made his way into a local art supply store, where he was accompanied by an assistant.
Stepping out: Ozzy Osbourne made his latest appearance in Los Angeles on Monday as beleaguered wife Sharon reportedly prepares to sue CBS following her dismissal from The Talk
The legendary rocker’s appearance comes amid after CBS dismissed claims that Sharon Osbourne is in line for a hefty payout from the network following her departure from The Talk.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, a spokesperson described the reports as: ‘False, inaccurate or untrue. Take your pick.’
Page Six had originally reported that Sharon would be given a multi-million dollar settlement, with the TV personality also preparing to sue the network over the nature of her exit.
‘Sharon is walking away with a $5 to $10 million minimum payout and was able to spin that it was her decision [to leave the show],’ a source said on Monday.
The TV personality’s exit agreement also leaves her free to talk about her controversial departure according to another insider who said: ‘Sharon will talk when she is ready.
In good company: Dressed in a signature black outfit, Ozzy, 72, made his way into a local art supply store, where he was accompanied by an assistant
Controversy: His appearance comes amid claims that wife Sharon will receive a hefty payout from CBS, with the TV personality also reportedly preparing to sue the network following her departure from The Talk
‘She still wants to give her side of the story. She has been on that show for 11 years and knows all the secrets.’
It’s understood that Sharon was able to negotiate the cushy farewell terms after threatening legal action.
The Mail on Sunday previously reported that the 68-year-old was planning to take the broadcaster ‘all the way’ for damages over her departure from The Talk, which was announced on Friday.
Previously: The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Sharon defended her friend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle and her CBC interview with Oprah Winfrey
Allegation: The Duchess of Sussex accused the Royal Family of racism and said she was driven to suicidal thoughts
She left following a backlash against her decision to defend former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex’s comments during her bombshell CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Allegations later emerged that Sharon had made racist remarks about her co-hosts behind the scenes – a claim she has strenuously denied.
In a statement confirming her departure, CBS said: ‘As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.’
‘As well as her claim for damages, it is understood former X Factor judge Osbourne wants to be paid out for the remaining two years on her contract – thought to be worth £2 million [roughly $2,753,430.]’
Speaking out: Sharon defended Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood, which turned heated debate
A friend told The Mail on Sunday: ‘She feels a few suits at CBS have really done for her here. Sharon won’t let this go.’
The Talk, which has been on hiatus since March 12 in the aftermath of the controversy, will return on April 12 — but without the sharp-tongued Sharon, who has been a fixture on the show for 11 seasons.
‘Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk,’ CBS said in a statement confirming her departure. ‘The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home.’
‘As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace,’ the statement continued.
Gone: ‘Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk,’ CBS said in a statement confirming her departure. ‘The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home’
Off air: CBS extended The Talk’s hiatus after Sharon was accused of frequently calling former co-host Julie Chen a ‘wonton’ and ‘slanty eyes’
‘We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts,’ CBS said, responding to allegations from Sharon’s camp that she was ‘set up to fail’ by being spurred into the debate by producers.
‘At the same time, we acknowledge the network and studio teams, as well as the showrunners, are accountable for what happened during that broadcast as it was clear the co-hosts were not properly prepared by the staff for a complex and sensitive discussion involving race,’ the statement added.
‘During this week’s hiatus, we are coordinating workshops, listening sessions and training about equity, inclusion and cultural awareness for the hosts, producers and crew. Going forward, we are identifying plans to enhance the producing staff and producing procedures to better serve the hosts, the production and, ultimately, our viewers.’
Set up: Insiders have told DailyMail.com they believe Sharon was ‘set up to fail’ by CBS bigwigs who are trying to cut costs and get her out of her high-paying contract
Morgan stormed off of Good Morning Britain after saying he believed none of her claims, and ultimately quit the ITV show.
Then on The Talk, Sharon defended Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood, which turned heated.
‘Educate me, tell me when you have heard him say racist things,’ she said of Morgan to Underwood, who is black.
‘I very much feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist?’ Sharon added.
That led to a dust-up with Underwood, who was taken aback by the fierceness of Sharon’s defence.
Difficult: Although she says she is being supported by her friends, family, Morgan and her co-stars – Underwood aside – she told DailyMail.com the furore has been tough to take
Sharon later issued an apology for her remarks, but the show went into hiatus as CBS launched an investigation.
Former co-stars Julie Chen and Leah Rimini have publicly come out to complain that she once referred to Chen as ‘a wonton’ and Rimini as being ‘ghetto’.
A report from Yashar Ali also alleged that Sharon called former co-host Sara Gilbert a ‘fish eater,’ among other things; Gilbert is a lesbian.
The TV personality furiously denied the allegations in an interview with DailyMail.com, calling the claims ‘all c**p’.
Clarification: After she faced a backlash and accusations of racism, Sharon issued a statement (above) Friday apologizing ‘to anyone of colour that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down’
‘In situations like this, you’re always going to get people who you’ve had disagreements with in the past, people who’ve got axes to grind, who come out of the woodwork and they’ll come out with their BS and that’s it. It doesn’t surprise me at all. It doesn’t surprise me,’ she said.
‘Of course, it’s a pile on. People want to add fuel to the fire and it comes with the territory and that’s fine,’ she said.
She added: ‘Being accused of racism is no joke. Now they get their sweet revenge. I can’t even address it because it’s kids in a schoolyard.
‘Coming out with stupid, childish comments – it’s like really? That’s all you’ve got?’
Asked if she had ever called Chen a wonton, she added: ‘It’s all c**p. It’s all c**p. I don’t want to go there with her. She makes her living out of outing people. So, it’s like come on.
‘It’s got no real foundation. Allegations of calling a Chinese lady a wonton, it’s like – is that all you’ve got? It’s like really?’