Sharon Osbourne has quit her role as a judge on The X Factor, it has been confirmed. In a statement, the 55-year-old thanked Simon Cowell, her fellow judge on the ITV show, and the British public for their support. The statement released on her behalf said: "Sharon Osbourne announced today that after four fantastic and successful series of the X Factor she has decided to leave the show. "Sharon would like to thank the wonderful British public for their enormous support during what's been an exciting ride. "She would also like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Cowell and ITV while wishing them all the best for the next series. Sharon will be making no further comment." The judging panel for the show had included Sharon, Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh. Despite Louis being previously axed from the show, he was later asked back onto it and said he was "thrilled". An ITV spokesman later said: "Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave the X Factor after four fantastic years. ITV thanks her for her immense contribution to the show and for all her humour, compassion and energy. "She has been a tremendous judge and mentor on the programme but we respect her wish to leave and wish her the very best with her future projects." He said it was too early to say whether or not the show would be looking for another judge.
