For the past few weeks we've stayed well away from all this X Factor carry on, but sure it's everywhere these days now isn't it? Danni Minogue's staying Down Under for the Aussie version, nobody's sure who's filling the seats on the US panel just yet and, of course, Tulisa's name's been thrown about left right and centre. But what about Sharon Osbourne? What's the deal with her.

Well, we all know Mrs O left America's Got Talent earlier this year, with Scary Spice taking her seat alongside Howie Mandel and Howard Stern. Now, word on the street (or in the tabloids, rather) is that Sharon Osbourne is still very much in the running to return to the X Factor UK judging panel.  A 'source' allegedly told The Sun that "Simon is a huge fan of Sharon. Things are looking good for her. She is in pole position." Of course they also said her future was hanging in the balance, because nobody knows what the craic is with Tulisa 'urban roots' Contostavlos.

Reports over the last few weeks have suggested she's out, but the former NDubz singer hit back, saying she hadn't even entered into negotiations yet, and had most certainly not been given her marching orders. There's still no word on Barlow either, who had allegedly been replaced by or joined by Robbie Williams on the panel. The papers can't quite seem to make their minds up about that one.

I'm not going to lie, I love a bit of X Factor of a wintery Saturday evening, though the sob stories bore me as much as the next person. It's be pretty smashing to see Sharon Osbourne back on the panel, not least for the old diva strops when she's made pick between two of her own acts. But sure as long as there's more Scherzinger I'm happy.